'As good as I've come across' - emotional Scudamore thrilled with Ahoy Senor

Friday: Mildmay Novices' Chase, Aintree

It has not always been plain-sailing for Ahoy Senor, but the Cheltenham Gold Cup became an even more realistic port of call as the pride of Scotland dominated a race full of future stars with a display of brute strength and power.

Masterfully nurtured by Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore just south of Perth in Kinross, Ahoy Senor emphatically turned around chase form with Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse having played second fiddle to those two in the Kauto Star and Brown Advisory respectively.

The Carron and Bruce Wymer-owned seven-year-old had lost little in defeat on both occasions, showing the engine was clearly there if able to brush up his jumping, but he showed experience is the best teacher by pulling apart his three rivals, each of whom had won at Grade 1 level.

Watch a super display from Ahoy Senor in the Mildmay

Given the high-class line-up, it was inevitable whoever came out on top would be cut for the Gold Cup, but such was the manner of victory under Derek Fox, Ahoy Senor was promoted to general 10-1 third favourite (from 20-1) behind only A Plus Tard and Galopin Des Champs.

Lucinda Russell greets Ahoy Senor after the Mildmay Novices' ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's been learning about his jumping and each time he's got better and better," said Russell. "He's learned from Cheltenham and was just outstanding today. I wasn't concerned about him jumping right, when he went right-handed he went slightly left.

"He's got so much power. We'll end up in the Gold Cup, God willing, and maybe take in the Ladbrokes Trophy, we'll discuss that. The Gold Cup is the dream again."

Ahoy Senor won the Sefton Novices' Hurdle on this card last year, surprising Bravemansgame at 66-1, and this was another magical day on Merseyside for Russell and Fox, who also so memorably combined to win the Grand National in 2017 with One For Arthur.

"Derek rides him all the time at home and knows him inside out. He's a fantastic horseman – he lives and breathes them and his whole world is focused on the horses," said Russell.

"We love Aintree, it's always magic and we drove in yesterday, and you can't help but feel the spirits of the past and present."

On numerous occasions on the northern circuit this season, Scudamore has described Ultima winner Corach Rambler as the apple of his eye – he rides him out at home with Fox on Ahoy Senor – but it all became clear that was just a diversionary tactic.

"I get emotional about him because he's as good as I've come across," said the former multiple champion jockey, who rode stars such as Carvill's Hill, Celtic Shot and Granville Again.

"They say Superman is a bore without Kryptonite, this horse makes the odd mistake. Everyone said he didn't jump well at Cheltenham, but I thought he made one mistake, and we've done nothing with him. You're dealing with an elite athlete and I just wanted him to prove it.

Ahoy Senor: was cut to 10-1 for next year's Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He jumps right, but he finds himself room and he's just getting it together, and I think he's perhaps better on good ground, which works for the big races. The extra distance of a Gold Cup wouldn't be against him. We're small fish among big fish and to deal with a horse of this nature is an immense privilege."

Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse performed well below expectations, leaving Fury Road to take second.

Paul Nicholls was at a loss to explain the performance of Bravemansgame, who was a late withdrawal from the Brown Advisory due to the rain-softened ground, as he trailed in last.

"He hasn't run his race. It was the end of a long season, I suppose," he said. "Harry [Cobden] said he was very keen going down and very keen in the first part of the race, he wouldn't switch off.

"If he'd have jumped the second-last upsides and got beaten I'd have thought 'fair enough', but Harry said he was beaten turning in. I haven't been hiding it, some of ours have been disappointing in the spring."

Venetia Williams, trainer of the third-placed L'Homme Presse, said: "It's horses for courses. I'm not going to take anything away from the winner, who put up a blistering performance, but this was more of a speed test than even L'Homme Presse's two-and-a-half-mile races. I'm very happy with the way he's run at the end of a busy season."

Read more Aintree race reports . . .

Sublime Fakir D'Oudairies makes Aintree history with second Marsh Chase win

Jonbon fights it out to claim first Grade 1 at Aintree in Top Novices' Hurdle

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