Aintree Grand National Festival News: Ahor Senor says adios to rest in Mildmay
- Tom Reed
- 8 April 2022
Lucinda Russell's Ahoy Senor galloped a strong field including Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse into the ground in the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase.
Ahoy Senor put in a scintillating run in the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase, leading from start to finish in a bucaneering ride under Derek Fox.
Most of the pre-race talk revolved around Paul Nicholls' Bravemansgame and Venetia Williams' L'Homme Presse but neither could live with Ahoy Senor in this form on a course he loves.
The seven-year-old 4/1 chance ran boldy and jumped with vigour, cutting out most of the jumping mistakes which have plagued other runs.
Gordon Elliott's 14/1 outsider Fury Road ran a blinder to finish second, with L'Homme Presse (7/4) and 11/8 favourite Bravemansgame running flat and making jumping errors.
Ahoy Senor has lost to both L'Homme Presse and Bravemansgame this season but overturned the form in fine style, relishing the Spring conditions on lovely ground at Aintree.
The win restarted talk of Ahoy Senor being a potential Gold Cup horse for next year as he said adios to the field in fine style.
Russell said: "This time last year he was just amazing and this year he's been learning about his jumping, but each time he's raced he's got better and better.
"At Cheltenham I thought he learnt what he was meant to be doing and he showed it today - he was just outstanding. Cheltenham did make a man of him.
"He's just a fantastic novice and this is a great way to end his novice season.
"Derek rides him all the time at home. He knows the horses inside out and he is a fantastic horseman. His whole world is focussed on the horse and already has his campaign for next season mapped out!"
