Lucinda Russell on weather watch again for Ahoy Senor's chase debut

Sleepless nights worrying about the ground for some of her stars has become the norm for Lucinda Russell, who is hoping the rain arrives at Wetherby to allow Ahoy Senor to make his chase debut.

The lightly raced six-year-old caused a 66-1 shock in last season's Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle when beating Bravemansgame by seven lengths and is set to start over fences in the bet365 Novices' Chase (2.05), providing conditions are suitable.

Ahoy Senor missed a recent engagement at Carlisle due to the good ground there and Russell wants to see a fair chunk of the 15mm of forecast rain before racing.

"We're dead keen they get the rain and if it arrives and the ground is safe, it'll be a nice opportunity for him," the trainer said. "Three miles is good for him and it's a fair track, but it would have to be soft ground so we'll have to see tomorrow.

"The tension is there because we've got an extremely good horse, but we're aware it's his first time novice chasing and a safe round of jumping and a bit of education is what we want.

"He hasn't had many races for a horse running at his level and I was worried about schooling him as he's so precious, but he jumps with his ears pricked like he's made for it."

On ratings Barbados Buck's, who won three times over hurdles in the colours of the Stewart family before being well beaten in the Albert Bartlett, looks the chief threat to Ahoy Senor.

Dan Skelton has won this race twice in the last four years – including 12 months ago with subsequent Grade 1 winner Shan Blue – and relies on course winner Ashtown Lad this time, with Buzz De Turcoing and Deluxe Range completing the five-strong line-up.

Skelton sends a strong team to a track, where he has an impressive 28 per cent strike-rate (52-184).

Gary Moore: saddles Porticello in the Listed juvenile hurdle at WetherbyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

In the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (3.15), Porticello makes his eagerly awaited first appearance for Gary Moore having finished three lengths in front of recent Chepstow winner Magistrato when winning at Auteuil last time.

"Porticello is a great, big horse and I can’t believe he was able to win at Auteuil in April as a three-year-old," said Moore. "He goes nicely, although he wouldn't be the flashiest work horse. Hopefully, he shows more on the racecourse than he does at home.

"He was pretty expensive and the form of his win in France obviously looks pretty good. I just hope he lives up to his reputation."

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