Old Gold Racing news: Lucinda Russell: Apple Away heading to the Betfair Chase
Lucinda Russell has told Old Gold Racing that her star mare, Apple Away, is set to reappear in the Grade One Betfair Chase in November.
The Grade One winner has been a flagbearer for her many Old Gold Racing owners and will afford them another top-level runner en route to some enticing mares’ prizes this season.
Speaking to Old Gold Racing, Russell said: “Apple Away has done really well over the summer and we’re excited to get her back racing. We haven’t seen her since that strange day of the Midlands National, where the ground left a lot to be desired.
“She’s in fine form at home and we’re readying her for what we hope will be another really good season. While she always gave her best, she didn’t manage to get her head in front last term, so we’ll be looking to change that.
“The plan for the season will be to aim her at a similar set of mares’ races, with a few other targets thrown in across the campaign. We’re considering starting her off in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.
“While it’s an open Grade One, we think the track ought to suit her and it should be a nice starting point. There’s a nice Listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen at the end of November which we were second in last year. We’d like to think we could go one better.”
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Scottish Grand National remains a long-term aim
Russell made no secret of the fact that the team had hoped Apple Away would develop into a Scottish Grand National type, and while ground issues scuppered those ambitions last term, a trip to Ayr on the track’s biggest day remains a big hope:
“We’d been open about our intention to work back from the Scottish Grand National last season, but unfortunately the ground wasn’t right for her to take her chance. Hopefully that can be a target we look at again come the spring.”
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