Becher still on Resolve's agenda
Strong Resolve is still on course for the totesport Becher Chase despite being pulled up on his reappearance at Carlisle on Sunday.
The nine-year-old struggled in the heavy ground at the Cumbrian track and was pulled up by his rider Peter Buchanan before the 13th fence in the £1m (€1.46m) totetentofollow Cumberland Handicap Chase.
No less than 10 of the 17 starters were pulled up in the three-and-a-quarter-mile stamina test won by Ross Comm.
“He’s fine and it’s the Becher Chase next. He just couldn’t cope with the very heavy ground. He jumped OK but he couldn’t bounce off the ground like we know he can,” said Kinross-based trainer Lucinda Russell.
“It was similar ground when he ran at Ayr as a novice on Scottish National day. He couldn’t handle it even though he did finish second.
“Peter did the right thing and didn’t knock him around.”
Strong Resolve developed into a smart staying chaser last season, winning at Ayr and Wetherby before finishing second in the Coral Welsh National.
He ended the campaign coming home 17th of the 21 finishers behind Hedgehunter in the John Smith’s Grand National.
The grey will now have a second crack at the mighty Aintree fences in the Becher Chase on Sunday, November 20.
