Lucinda Russell ponders comeback options for One For Arthur

Connections will wait until nearer the time before finally deciding on One For Arthur’s comeback run at Aintree next month.

The Many Clouds Chase and the Randox Health Becher Chase are the options at the Merseyside track on December 8 for the nine-year-old, who has been sidelined since his Grand National triumph in April 2017.

Trainer Lucinda Russell is delighted with One For Arthur’s progress – but wants to wait a little longer before firming up plans.

“I’m not quite sure yet. We’ll make a decision once we’ve done a few more bits of work with him, look at the entries and see what the ground’s like,” said the Kinross handler.

“He seems in really good form. He’s worked fabulous, even better than he did this time two years ago. We’re very pleased with him.”

Russell is aiming Forest Des Aigles at the same card over the National fences after he overcame a near 10-month absence to win Ayr two weeks ago.

“I was really pleased with him and he goes for the Grand Sefton,” she said.

“He jumped really well and we hope he do that over the Aintree fences as well. He’s a very classy horse.”

Meanwhile, Russell will consider running Monday’s Ayr winner Ryalex back quite quickly as long as there is enough cut in the ground.

The seven-year-old’s victory created plenty of attention as he only has one ear following an accident in Ireland before he joined the Russell stable.

“He was always a very keen horse and we had the hood on him to settle him down and then Stephen (Mulqueen, jockey) said to me to take the hood off and it’s really helped him,” she said.

“It’s made him a bit of an internet sensation.

“He’s really good. We’ve got him entered in a few races before his handicap rise comes in, but we’ll have to see. He’s a horse I wouldn’t want to run on very quick ground because he’s been off with an injury before.”