One For Arthur finished in fifth position in the Randox Health Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday afternoon and the runner remains very much on course to make his third appearance at the Grand National.
Trainer Lucinda Russell was happy with his efforts when finishing behind back-to-back Becher Chase winner Walk In The Mill and the Kinross handler is optimistic about his chances of running in the world’s most famous steeplechase in less than four months’ time.
The 10-year-old has struggled with injuries since his 2017 Grand National triumph but these have all been overcome and he proved his ability to cut it on the Merseyside course with his impressive run over the weekend.
Russell is expected to plan backwards from the 2020 Grand National and the likelihood is that she will give One For Arthur a couple of runs before the big day on April 4th.
As things stand, One For Arthur is priced at 33/1 with Paddy Power Bookmakers to win the 2020 Grand National behind hat-trick hopeful Tiger Roll who remains overwhelming favourite at 8/1 with the same firm.
Russell said on Sunday: “We checked him this morning and he’s absolutely perfect. He’s come out of it really well. I was delighted with him.
“It was just really good to get him back on track. We had a fair idea he would get outpaced, which he was. I think he just loved jumping the fences.
“I was worried he might not be sure about jumping around Aintree again. He absolutely loved it, so it’s reinforced my opinion he should be going back for the National.”