Lucinda Russell’s William Hill blog: Ahoy Senor is number one in my mind

Top trainer and William Hill ambassador Lucinda Russell picks out a few of her runners across Saturday and Sunday.

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In hot form during cold snap

We’ve kicked off 2025 in fantastic form and, apart from the challenge presented to us during the cold snap, everything in the yard has been going well. We’re looking forward to our chances on a busy weekend of racing.

Even when we did have the heavy frost, snow, and ice (we were down to -10c!), it didn’t really hinder us too much. We’ve got a carpet gallop, so some of the horses were able to keep ticking over on that, while we treated as a bit of a mid-season break. Some of the horses have freshened up as a result and we’re ready to go again as we head into the second half of the season. We always get a bit pessimistic about when a good run of form might end, but for now we’re going well and we’re going to enjoy it.

Senor on Sunday

The number one in my mind this weekend is of course AHOY SENOR, who goes for Sunday’s Fleur De Lys Chase (3:05pm, Sunday) at Windsor. We’re delighted to have him back again and I think this is an interesting race for him, being back at 2m5f instead of tottering around in races over further. We’ve had this race in mind for a little while, particularly with the good prize money on offer, and we’re hoping he can run well.

Though he’s technically dropping down in grade, and he’s one of the highest rated chasers in the country, it hardly looks like that given the quality of the field, so we’re under no illusions that this is still a tough race to win.

Two at Haydock on Saturday

A couple to mention on Saturday would be WALKING ON A DREAM and INOX ALLEN up at Haydock.

Walking On A Dream takes on the Grade 2 Rossington Novices’ Hurdle (1:55pm, Saturday). People might think we’re a bit mad for pitching him in there, but I think he’s a very good horse. He’s very much a chaser-in-the-making, I’d like to see him run well and maybe be placed in a decent race like this. I think he’ll run well at a big price.

Inox Allen is quite an interesting runner in the Stayers’ Series Qualifier (3:05pm, Saturday. I think a lot of the horse, but he’s been a little bit sticky over fences so we’re coming back to hurdles. Conditions seem perfect for him as he really can’t have it heavy enough. Three miles on deep ground is right up his street and I’d like to think he’s a player.