Aintree is set to come alive this Sunday as Halloween Family Day ushers in the new Jump season, but all eyes will be on one familiar figure making his seasonal bow. Ahoy Senor, the 10-year-old dual Grade One winner, returns to the course where he carved his name into the history books, aiming to recapture past glories in the £80,000 William Hill Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase.
The Scottish-trained chaser, victorious in the 2021 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and 2022 Mildmay Novices’ Chase, carries top weight of 11st 12lb in a competitive Grade Two field of 10 runners. Last year, he finished third behind Minella Drama, and connections are quietly optimistic he can challenge for the crown again.
“Ahoy Senor seems in great form,” said Lucinda Russell, who co-trains the gelding with Michael Scudamore. “He’s a three-miler and isn’t getting any faster with age, but he ran such a tremendous race in this contest last year. If we could emulate that performance, it would be grand.”
Ahoy Senor’s previous campaign ended on a frustrating note, with a fifth-place finish behind Gaelic Warrior in the Grade One Bowl Chase at the Grand National Festival in April. He also fell while running a strong race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Russell remains cautious about the season ahead, noting that they may avoid Haydock’s Betfair Chase, where he did not settle last year.
Among his rivals, Imperial Saint is the 9-4 market favourite, boasting three wins from four starts at Aintree, including last year’s edition of this race. Minella Drama, the 2024 winner, is listed at 7-1 and could attempt a rare back-to-back triumph—the first since Monet’s Garden achieved the feat in 2009-2010. Other notable entries include Master Chewy, Hitman, Boombawn, and Colonel Harry.
The Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase, run over 2m 3f 200y at 2.20pm, promises a competitive spectacle on Aintree’s Good ground, with punters and fans eager to see if Ahoy Senor can add another chapter to his storied career.
Outside the track, Halloween Family Day brings a touch of magic and mischief, featuring spooky entertainment, face painting, and surprises for children. Aintree has also partnered with local charity Nugent to raise funds for community projects, highlighting the event’s family-friendly ethos.
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