Trainer Lucinda Russell believes Ahoy Senor is back to his best, ahead of his entry in a highly competitive Cheltenham Gold Cup at The Festival next week.
The eight-year-old horse was back to winning ways when triumphant in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham last time out, beating the likes of Grand National winner Noble Yeats, underwhelming favourite Protektorat and a fading Frodon.
His seasonal reappearance in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase was a disappointment back in October, before being beaten as favourite in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree and coming fifth in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
The latter was won by fellow Gold Cup contender Bravemansgame but for Lucinda Russell and connections, they will be buoyed by the Cotswold Chase success and the return to the winners circle.
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Last year's Festival saw Ahoy Senor go off as second favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, where he was beaten by the impressive L'homme Presse.
Ahoy Senor did get revenge at Aintree the following month, however, as a fine ride from Derek Fox helped him to overcome L'homme Presse, Bravemansgame and Gordon Elliott's Fury Road.
Galopin Des Champs will almost certainly go off favourite for this year's showpiece, but Ahoy Senor shouldn't be ruled out, as Lucinda Russell takes a fond look back at a special and emotional journey over the last couple of years.
