The “Trials Day” label on the last card at Cheltenham before the Festival might suggest it is little more than an appetiser ahead of the main event. For the connections of the big chase winners here on Saturday, however, it was a day of real significance and, for trainer Lucinda Russell, an emotional afternoon too.
Russell’s father, Peter, who died this week at 95, was a co-owner of Ahoy Senor, the winner of the Grade Two Cotswold Chase, and also played a big part in launching his daughter’s training career. “He loved this horse and really wanted him to do well,” she said. “It was Dad that set me up and gave me the desire and determination. He’d be very proud today.
