Lucinda Russell 'feels bad' as technicality delays Michael Scudamore partnership but it's full steam ahead for Ahoy Senor

Lucinda Russell's plans to add her assistant Michael Scudamore to the training licence in a joint partnership following her 1,000th winner on Saturday have been delayed by what the trainer has called "a technicality".

Russell said, in recognition of Scudamore's input since moving to the yard, she intended to add his name to the licence once reaching the landmark, which she achieved when Starlyte scored at Kelso.

However, Russell is resigned to remaining the sole name on the licence for the time being, meaning stable star Ahoy Senor, who has never been better at this stage of the season according to the trainer, will run only in Russell's name in the Betfair Chase a week on Saturday.

The dual Grand National-winning trainer explained on Sunday: "At the moment I'm a sole trader and I've got to change to a limited company. Once that's sorted out, Michael can get added to the licence but the BHA won't let me add him as a sole trader.

"I feel bad about it as it's a technicality and Michael has really established himself here. He works really hard and we should get him on the licence for recognition of what he does."

Scudamore, whose father Peter is Russell's partner and assistant, won the Welsh Grand National during his 15 years training in Herefordshire before moving to Scotland.

"He watches the horses on the gallops and that's a huge advantage," Russell said of Michael Scudamore.

"We won the bumper yesterday with Humble Jumble and we had three entries in the race but he was the one who said this horse was much more ready than the others.

"With him doing that, it means I can spend more time on what I'm good at. It's not me stepping back but a case of getting bigger and stronger."

Starlyte gave Lucinda Russell the 1,000th winner of her career Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Ahoy Senor is a dual Grade 1 winner at Aintree and warmed up for his likely clash with Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase by finishing third under top weight in the Old Roan Chase under Derek Fox last month.

"We're really looking forward to it," Russell said. "I don't think I've ever had him as good at the start of the season as we have this year. That's credit to Derek, who's driven me to get him ready — we've done different things with him, given him plenty of work and we hope he'll be spot on for the Betfair Chase.

"I do think he goes better on better ground, which is probably a factor in his Aintree runs being so much better. 

"Grey Dawning is very much an improver and he's a horse that I admire a lot — but I admire Ahoy Senor as well."

Betfair Chase (3.05 Haydock, November 23)

Paddy Power: 15-8 Grey Dawning, 3 Corbetts Cross, 6 Ahoy Senor, 7 Royal Pagaille, 8 Hewick, Il Est Francais, 10 Bravemansgame, 14 bar

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