Lucinda Russell is determined to assess Ahoy Senor's readiness for the Ryanair at Cheltenham by running him in the Betfair Ascot Chase this Saturday.
Despite disappointing starts to the season with two pull-ups, the Grade One-winning novice chaser showcased a resurgence of his former brilliance in his recent outing at Cheltenham. Ahoy Senor participated in the Cotswold Chase, a race he triumphed in a year prior, and remained a strong contender until jockey Stephen Mulqueen's stirrup leather snapped near the third last fence. Regular rider Derek Fox, who has recovered from an injury, will reunite with Ahoy Senor and face his previous adversary L'Homme Presse, who secured second place ahead of him in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2022 Festival.
Russell expressed her optimism about Ahoy Senor's performance in the Ascot Chase, sharing her thoughts in her William Hill blog. She acknowledged the unfortunate incident with the broken stirrup at Cheltenham but highlighted Ahoy Senor's excellent form in training since the mishap. Russell emphasised the chaser's propensity to excel in the spring season, acknowledging his slow start but confident in his potential. However, the right-handed track at Ascot poses a potential challenge as Ahoy Senor has never won racing in that direction. Russell acknowledged this concern while highlighting the suitability of the Ryanair as a favourable option for him, considering his running style and abilities.
In addition to Ahoy Senor, Russell will also field the mare Apple Away in the Sodexo Live! Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot. This race serves as a stepping stone for Apple Away's potential participation in the Ultima next month. Russell stated that Apple Away appears in excellent physical condition and has progressed well since her previous run at Warwick. The Ascot race will provide her with valuable jumping experience and aid in determining her future targets. Russell mentioned that all options remain open for Apple Away, and while the Ultima was initially favoured, it is not a definite decision. Reflecting on her previous performances, Russell believes that Apple Away has more to offer than what she demonstrated at Warwick and expects her to further develop as the year progresses, noting her thriving form after the turn of the year in the previous season.