Time for plan B: One For Arthur team hoping for better in Peter Marsh Chase

3.15 Haydock
Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Grade 2) | 3m1½f, 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

There has been much talk about plan Bs in recent days, and after plan A went askew at Aintree last month connections of One For Arthur will be hoping things go a little more orderly this time.

The 2017 Grand National winner unseated at the third fence on his comeback after more than a year off with a tendon injury, but has since pleased trainer Lucinda Russell in his schooling.

She said: “It clearly didn’t go to plan last time but it’s proven to be not the worst thing in the world as we’ve had more time to get him ready for this.

“He had a nice school around Ayr the other day and we’re really quite pleased with how he was that day and how he’s been at home since.”

She added: “We’re looking for a good round of jumping and a positive performance from him as he’s been off the course for a long time - you can’t really count what happened at Aintree.”

One For Arthur, owned by Belinda McClung and Deborah Thomson, is a general 25-1 chance to recapture the Randox Health Grand National in April.

Captain Redbeard (red silks): excellent record at HaydockCredit: John Grossick

Can Captain maintain track record?

Aintree could be on the agenda again for Captain Redbeard, who unseated in last year’s Grand National, although Haydock has always been his home away from home.

Trained, like One For Arthur in Scotland, Captain Redbeard has never finished outside the first three in six visits to Haydock and was runner-up in this race 12 months ago off the same mark.

Trainer Stuart Coltherd said: “I’m really pleased with him and looking forward to taking him back to Haydock. It’s a big, galloping track there and it suits him very well.

“He had a wee break after his run at Aintree in the Grand Sefton, but he seems well in himself and without a doubt he’s at his best at this course.”

What they say

Venetia Williams, trainer of Otago Trail
Conditions are a bit too dry for him to show his very best I think, but there are not that many opportunities for him. We’ll give it a go and see what he can do.

Ryan Clavin, assistant to Sue Smith, trainer of Wakanda
He seems in very good form at home. We were pleased with his run at Wetherby and he's won round Haydock, so we're going there positive.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Robinsfirth
He had a touch of a leg after his last run. He's been ready for a month but we've been waiting for the soft ground. He's fit and he does run well first time out.

Daklondike (left): retains the visor he wore to victory last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

David Pipe, trainer of Daklondike
We’ve done a lot at home with him as well as putting the visor on last time and he seems in a particularly good place. When he’s at his best he's more than capable of putting in a very good performance. I suspect a little bit further than last time will suit him too and he’s been progressive on soft ground.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Three Musketeers
He's obviously struggling for a bit of form but he's got little weight, he jumped well on Friday morning and we're giving him the best chance he can have really.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Ballyarthur
If they get some rain overnight that would definitely help his chances as the softer the ground, the better with him.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Ballydine
He ran very well last time at Newbury and I felt he hit a bit of a flat spot before keeping on, so the cheekpieces should help with that. He’s out of the handicap, but I’m not too worried about that, and I’m looking forward to running him as I think conditions will suit.

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