Corach Rambler given Punchestown option as Sandown ground remains quick

Lucinda Russell will walk the course at Sandown to decide if Corach Rambler will contend the bet365 Gold Cup on Saturday with the trainer considering a possible Punchestown alternative for the Cheltenham Festival winner.

The Ultima Chase victor was fourth in his sole run over Saturday's 3m5f distance in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January, but Russell is cautious ahead of the final meeting in Britain's jump calendar.

Conditions at Sandown are currently described as good, good to firm in places, but Russell may swerve the contest if the ground doesn't soften by Saturday.

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"I've got a bad feeling it's going to be good to firm and I don't think we'd run him on that," Russell said.

"We're going to go to Sandown on Thursday and walk the track to see what it's like and that will give us a good idea, but we might put in an entry at Punchestown as well.

"We initially wanted to go across for the Irish National but got worried it might be a few days too soon. The ground ended up brilliant and we're really disappointed that we didn't go."

The eight-year-old was last seen storming from the rear to claim the Ultima in his third success of the season, delivering a first festival victory for Grand National-winning jockey Derek Fox.

"He's come out of Cheltenham really well and bolted with Scu [Peter Scudamore, Russell's partner] today coming into the stables. Scu thought it was funny for two seconds and then was quite scared," Russell added.

"He's always been a difficult horse for the handicapper to assess because he never wins by far, but hopefully Sandown works out as it's the right race for him and the right time."

Saturday's meeting marks the end of a remarkable season for Russell, with 45 winners and a total prize-money figure only topped by the Grand National-winning season of 2016-17 with One For Arthur.

Although Mighty Thunder was unable to deliver another National success for the trainer this time, the form of Russell's yard was boosted by the victory of Noble Yeats, who was beaten by Corach Rambler and Ahoy Senor on his previous two starts.

Aintree proved lucrative for the Kinross yard overall after Ahoy Senor delivered an authoritative performance in the Mildmay Novices' Chase.

"We had a fantastic meeting and were thrilled with Ahoy Senor. He is about to go off and enjoy the sun," she said.

"The Gold Cup is still the aim with him and you're always thinking ahead to that when you see horses like Galopin Des Champs run. It's a funny being a trainer, you never really rest on your laurels. There's always a lot of trepidation."

Ahoy Senor: will be aimed at the 2023 Gold Cup after his Aintree Grade 1 successCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Ahoy Senor's breakthrough success came in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree 12 months ago, and Russell made her mark in that contest again this year after 100-1 shot Haute Estime stayed on gamely to finish third.

"I was really pleased with her," the trainer said. "It's funny how she went under the radar, but for a mare to achieve that against the boys was fantastic, and I can't wait to go chasing with her.

"Mighty Thunder didn't complete the National, but Derek didn't give him a hard time and we'll probably take him to Punchestown too.

"It has been an amazing season. Numerically, it's not our highest total, but things have really come together for us. The number of horses is probably down a little, but we're just doing it to a better level.

"It's an exciting time. We're going to buy more and we can't wait – the camper van is going to be in full use."

Watch: Corach Ramblers storms to Ultima success

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