A Perthshire horse is being tipped for Grand National glory after book makers offered odds of 11/1 for him to take the title.
One for Arthur, who is trained at Lucinda Russell’s stable near Milnathort, is third favourite with bookmakers Paddy Power.
The eight-year-old bay is jointly owned by Belinda McClung, from the Borders, and Debs Thomson, who lives in East Lothian.
He is only the fourth horse from the stable to make it to the legendary race, and trainer Lucinda believes he is the best they have ever produced.
She said: “We’ve had three previous runners, which have all finished, but the best finishing position was seventh.
“We finished last season saying our dream would be to take him (One For Arthur) to the National and we had to produce him in the right way for that race.
“His first race back was over 3.2 miles and he jumped very well and won, then we took him to the Beecher Chase, which is run round the Aintree fences, to see if he’d cope with them – because they are quite unique – and he finished fifth.
“We then took him to Warwick to see if he’d stay the distance – Warwick’s 3.5 miles, while the National’s four and a bit – but he won very easily there, so we knew he was on course for the National.
“We have him in the best physical shape that we can do – he’ll stay the distance, be fine over the fences, he’s the right age, he’s the right type and has the right personality, so we are quite hopeful.
“He’s one of the best horses we’ve ever had, he has an immense talent.”
She added that measures taken by Aintree meant the race was less risky than it used to be.
“There’s a risk in every race that you run a horse in but there’s a risk every time you turn a horse out in a field,” she said.
“I think it was quite a dangerous race in the old days, but there have been so many changes. The drops used to be pretty severe and it was more of a cross country race than a steeple chase, and the fences have been changes so that although they are unique they are not as big a test as they used to be.
“In the old days a lower rated horse could get in but they’ve tightened the qualifications, so it’s the safest it’s ever been.”
