Former Grand National winner One For Arthur will head straight to Aintree after deciding to skip a meeting at Kelso due to the ground, the Racing Post report.
Trainer Lucinda Russell was hoping to give One For Arthur a prep run in the Belhaven Brewery Premier Chase on Saturday, however, after walking the track, Russell decided against giving the go ahead.
The race was eventually won by Blue Flight, who narrowly defeated favourite Black Corton.
One For Arthur has failed to finish on his two starts this season but did claim a remarkable Grand National triumph two years ago ridden by Derek Fox.
And talking shortly after making the decision, trainer Russell revealed that the ten-year-old will now head straight for Aintree.
Alizee De Janeiro won the novice handicap and she’s a mare who likes decent ground so the theory is that if it’s suitable for her, it wouldn’t be suitable for Arthur.
It’s beautiful ground out there but Arthur wants it soft. He’ll now go straight for Aintree. When he won the National he hadn’t had a run for a while so it doesn’t worry me, though it would’ve been nice if he’d got round in a race this season.
With One For Arthur unseating both his riders in his runs this season, the ten-year-old, who has been out through injury over the past 12 months, has been made an outsider for the race on April 6.
