National-winning trainer shows versatility with runner at Redcar

The Scottish trainer won her second National on Saturday when Corach Rambler won the world's greatest steeplechase, following One For Arthur's victory in 2017.

Two days later, the partner of the legendary Peter Scudamore sends Aone Ally to Redcar for the Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com Handicap on Monday, with Oisin Orr in the saddle.

What a contrast that would be - from four miles and two furlongs over the toughest fences in racing, to a mile and a quarter on the flat at Redcar.

Aone Ally nosed out Bendalid in heavy going at Doncaster on April 1 and the latter, trained at Middleham by Chris Fairhurst, is a pound better off so it should be close again. However, Russell would certainly underline her credentials as a dual-purpose trainer if her charge wins on the flat at Redcar.

As well as Saturday's Grand National-winning trainer, Redcar has a classic-winning jockey featuring on Monday's seven-race card. James Doyle (pictured below), who sealed the Guineas double on Cachet and the ill-fated Coroebus last year, has rides in the last three races.

Doyle starts off his trip to Redcar in the famous blue silks of Goldolphin when he rides Royal Symbol for Newmarket trainer Charlie Appleby.

The son of the legendary Sea The Stars hasn’t been seen since winning his only start as a two-year-old in 2021 when he stayed on well to outpoint Andrew Balding’s Groundbreaker over a mile at Kempton.

His length of time off the track is naturally a concern and the market should be a strong indicator of whether he’s fully wound up for the Watch Live On Racing TV Novice Stakes, with John and Thady Gosden’s Peace Man – fourth of 11 at Wolverhampton in March – likely to be the chief danger.

Doyle’s next ride is on Glorious Lion for another Newmarket trainer, James Ferguson, and owners Qatar Racing in the racingtv.com Handicap. The son of Roaring Lion has had three outings, most recently on the all-weather at Newcastle, in February, when he was fifth of 10. However, Charlie Johnston’s Wadacre Gomez, was an impressive winner at Newcastle earlier this month, and may be too strong again.

Doyle finishes off his journey north by getting the leg up on the Ed Dunlop-trained Richard P Smith in Aone Ally's race. Richard P Smith was ultra-consistent in 2022, being placed five times before finishing the season with back-to-back wins at Yarmouth and Windsor.

Hayley Turner made a successful visit to Redcar in October to win the Racing TV Straight-Mile Series Final on board Belhaven, trained by Harry Eustace at Newmarket (see picture below). The combination reunite for the SDDE Smith Group Handicap, with Belhaven only two-pound higher for her win in that competitive race. The Belardo filly also won at Redcar in May, so clearly likes the track.

The Redcar card gets underway at 1.15pm with eight debutantes going to post for the Flat Is Back On Racing TV Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes over five furlongs. With so many unknowns, it’s a race to follow the market, but worth noting that it was won by David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope last year and they have the Dandy Man filly, Match That, looking to follow up.

Middleham trainer Ben Haslam had a winner with Purple Martini at Redcar’s first meeting of the season last week. Haslam’s Code Purple will run in the same colours in the Yorkshire Wonder Horse Handicap, with a three-pound penalty for winning at Newcastle in March.

Concorde was a morning withdrawal when hot favourite for a race at Redcar last week, and George Boughey’s charge is likely to be a warm order now he’s back on the runway for the Grey-Smith Legal Straight Mile Handicap.