Towton the favoured option for Russell's star Ahoy Senor
Ahoy Senor and Derek Fox in winning action at Newbury (November 2021)
Crack young chaser Ahoy Senor remains on course for a tilt at Wetherby's Towton Chase on February 5, according to his trainer Lucinda Russell.
Kinross-based Russell is considering other options for the seven-year-old, with the new Winter Million meeting at Lingfield not ruled out, but the trainer would prefer to head to Wetherby.
The son of Dylan Thomas caused up upset when scoring in Grade 1 company over hurdles at Aintree last season, before enhancing his reputation with a superb display over fences in a Grade 2 at Newbury.
While he was beaten by Bravemansgame at Kempton over Christmas, Russell still gave him a Cheltenham Gold Cup entry last week.
"He's in very good form, he's coming back to himself. I'm delighted with him and we'll just see where next - Wetherby is still the favourite," said Russell.
"His owners and Scu (Peter Scudamore, assistant trainer) are mentioning some other options but Wetherby would still be my choice at the moment, we'll see closer to the time.
"We have had a think about the new Lingfield races for Ahoy and for Corach Rambler, but I just don't know yet. Some days I think we'll have plenty of entries for them and other days I'm not so sure.
"We'll see when it's time for the entries. We've got plenty of horses who love heavy ground which would be a pull for us if it turned out like that and it is great prize money."
