2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur will be heading straight into this year’s Grand National after being pulled out of his scheduled appearance at Kelso last weekend due to unsuitable ground conditions.
The runner was one of the most impressive winners of the Grand National this century although the ten-year-old has been largely out of action since then having made just two appearances due to injury. Indeed the horse unseated in both of these outings and will make his appearance at the Aintree spectacular having failed to complete a full circuit in almost two years.
He was scheduled to run against Blue Flight and Black Corton at Kelso on Saturday afternoon but was forcibly scratched due to the unfavourable ground conditions.
Trainer Lucinda Russell said: “It’s beautiful ground here and Kelso have tried their absolute hardest. We had a little dream that it might rain through the night and be a bit softer when we got here, but sadly not.
“We will take him home now and just prep him for Aintree. I’m not too worried about the fact he’s unseated a couple of times. I think we can get him and Derek (Fox) in the best possible form for Aintree. We did it last time so we will try again this time.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but I always think things happen for a reason. We’ve got a plan for between now and April, so that’s what will be going on.
“Things are pencilled in, so we’ll see how it goes.”
