Randox Grand National winner Corach Rambler returned to a hero’s welcome at his trainer Lucinda Russell’s Kinross base on Sunday.
Sent off the 8-1 favourite, the nine-year-old coasted through the Aintree showpiece to beat Vanillier by two and a quarter lengths.
He was partnered by Derek Fox, who suffered an injury scare in the days leading up to the race but returned in time to land a second National with Russell after One For Arthur in 2017.
Only three horses trained in Scotland have ever won the historic contest, and Russell is responsible for two of them.
Scores of people were on hand to welcome Corach Rambler and Apple Away, a Grade One winner on Friday, back to Russell’s Arlary House Stables, in Milnathort, north of Edinburgh.
Corach Rambler parades during his Homecoming (Steve Welsh/PA)
Russell said: “It is just amazing. We were coming up the M6 last night… what Corach does is very important to us because we know him so well and you just wonder whether other people feel the same way.
“It was just amazing driving in today, the number of cars and people and the support he has.
“I know he was favourite in the race the but it is just lovely, how important he is to the community, not just the racing community.
“It is pretty overwhelming I have to say.”
Russell admitted she did not see much of the race itself having been overcome with emotion.
Corach Rambler poses in front of his fans (Steve Welsh/PA)
“I didn’t really see very much of it because I was crying so much,” she said.
“I wasn’t sure he was going to be able to lie up with the pace, but Derek managed to bounce him up quite handy,
“I wasn’t sure he would take to the fences, he hadn’t jumped round there before and he jumped the first two or three and I wasn’t sure.
“But he jumped Becher’s Brook and suddenly he was like ‘I love this’ and you could see his body shape and stuff and after that he just loved it and I thought we had a right chance.”
The race itself was delayed by around 15 minutes due to a group of animal rights activists, and Russell feels education is the way forward if the two sides can ever sit around a table.
“I have always said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” said Russell.
Owners and stable staff with Corach Rambler (Steve Welsh/PA)
“I would like them to be a little bit more educated in their opinion.
“If they could come and see the horses, understand that we are doing everything that we can. We can’t reduce risk to zero, you just can’t.
“I get that some people don’t like racing, that is fine, but I would like them to come and see how well they are looked after.
“Any race yard would gladly let people come and see them but I suppose for a lot of the stuff they don’t want to be educated, they are quite happy making the decision that it is not their thing.”
Russell’s partner and assistant, eight-times champion jockey Peter Scudamore, rides Corach Rambler every morning and his pride shone through.
“I am so pleased now that the world gets this wonderful horse,” he said.
“I could use all the words and try and explain what a wonderful horse it is, he has gone and shown it. There is an immense, smug satisfaction of a job well done. I will have a drink, but I don’t feel party-ish, it’s a job well done.
“He hit the front sooner than we expected but that is the genius of Derek Fox, he allowed it.
“He is a remarkable horse but he is not an elaborate jumper. He is Red Rum-ish in his efficiency. He now goes up to another grade. He has done everything I have asked of him.
“He might not run until late autumn. He will spend the summer in the paddock.”
Corach Rambler gets a heroes reception (Steve Welsh/PA)
As if proof were needed of the reach of the National, Scudamore revealed they had received a congratulatory message from a very famous person.
“We have some lovely owners and we had lunch with them one day and they said ‘we have a guest coming’ and Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad) from Abba turned up,” said Scudamore.
“She was just the most beautiful person, as a human not just in her beauty itself. Unbelievable, just so kind. I felt really humbled. She was kind enough to ask me about horses and stuff.
“We were driving up the motorway yesterday and the phone went ‘ping’ and it was the owners, she’d said tell Scu and Lucinda ‘well done’.
“After the lunch we had said, who is the most famous person we had ever met and we couldn’t come up with anyone more famous – the Queen, well that didn’t count I don’t think.
“That is the Grand National. We live in this bubble of racing that doesn’t really step outside but that makes you realise, Frida from Abba – as big as it gets!”
Thomas Kendall is one of ‘The Ramblers’ – the seven-strong syndicate lucky enough to own the winner.
Corach Rambler with owner Thomas Kendall (Steve Welsh/PA)
“Yesterday was life-changing in terms of that moment when he crossed the finish line,” he said.
“You never think you are going to have a Grand National winner when you start buying into horses, but here I am with a double Cheltenham winner and a Grand National winner. It is the stuff of dreams really, isn’t it?
“I am not sure where I go from here because it is probably not going to get better than that. Absolutely amazing.
“We have not actually worked it (prize-money) all out, but I definitely know we have nudging over £500,000 between us. So clearly that works out pretty well.
“I haven’t worked out what I am going to do with it, but it is going to be there for the spending – I am not going to save it, put it that way.”
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It may have gone off later than planned, but protesters could not prevent the Randox Grand National delivering another feel-good story as Corach Rambler provided Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox with their second victory in the Aintree showpiece.
Organisers were warned to expect some disturbance, with climate and animal rights group Animal Rising announcing their intention to disrupt the running of the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Unfortunately, it became clear in the minutes leading up to the race that several were intent on getting on to the track, which inevitably led to the race delayed.
But with the offenders swiftly removed, around 15 minutes later than scheduled the Grand National did get under way and produced a popular result as Corach Rambler justified 8-1 favouritism in brilliant style – six years after One For Arthur won the race for the same trainer-jockey combination.
Corach Rambler with connections in the Aintree winner’s enclosure (David Davies/The Jockey Club)
“We kind of knew it (protest) was going to happen and I think the racecourse did a great job to prevent them from doing too much damage,” Russell said.
“I just say to all the protesters, come and see how the horses are kept. I came from a non-racing background and I can assure you that welfare in other horse sports is not as high as it is in racing.
“Racing is a fantastic sport and is very highly regulated. The racing surface out there is the best surface these horses can go on.
“One For Arthur was a lovely horse. He retired and had a great time in retirement and died due to colic. He didn’t die due to racing or being in horse sport, he died due to colic.
“I understand they (protesters) get very excited about it, but for the welfare of horses they should be looking at a wider picture.”
The race itself could hardly have gone smoother for Corach Rambler as he cruised into contention rounding the home turn and took aim at long-time leader Mister Coffey – bidding to provide multiple champion trainer Nicky Henderson with an elusive first National success.
Corach Rambler never looked in real danger of being caught after hitting the front, with Vanillier coming from a long way back to finish closest, beaten just over two lengths passing the famous winning post.
Russell added: “It’s amazing, isn’t it (to win a second Grand National)? And truth be known, we’ve actually just spread some of One For Arthur’s ashes at the finishing line. Isn’t it lovely that he’s now passed on the baton to Corach?
“Arthur was a fantastic horse who changed my life and he gave me the confidence with Corach really.
“Corach is a life-changer as well. I think he’ll change a lot of the owners’ lives. He’s fantastic.”
Corach Rambler and Derek Fox after winning the Grand National at Aintree (David Davies/The Jockey Club)
After a long build-up, which included her stable jockey suffering a fall at Wetherby last week which threatened his participation, Russell admitted the emotions did get the better of her come the off.
“I feel a bit sorry for Anthony Bromley (bloodstock agent), who was sitting next to me watching the race, because as the tapes went up I started crying, which is pathetic, but this race does that to you – it’s just the release of emotion after producing the horse for the day,” she said.
“Derek was injured and the horse actually had a problem with a shoe on a press day last week. It was a bit awkward as the horse was slightly lame, but no one noticed so it was fine!
“It was pretty close for Derek. We had a good conversation on Monday about whether he should ride Ahoy Senor on Thursday and it killed him not to, but it was the right decision.”
Russell also revealed she had a had a heart-to-heart with Corach Rambler himself during the latter stages of his preparations, adding: “He is amazing and will pick up on emotions.
“I was really scared beforehand, not scared about the test that we’re setting him, but you just worry about luck and worry that things will go wrong like a horse falling in front of him – you’re just scared of the unknown really.
“After Derek had his fall, and I know this sounds sad, but I went up to Corach’s box and said to him ‘Derek’s had a fall’. Can you believe it? I’m supposed to be a professional person!
“Corach looked really worried actually! He said ‘I know Brian Hughes is champion jockey, but I just like Derek’!”
Fox, who certainly did not look like a man who had not ridden since being dumped on the West Yorkshire turf nine days earlier in delivering Corach Rambler with such poise, was keen to praise his trainer.
Derek Fox with the Grand National trophy (David Davies/The Jockey Club)
Fox said: “I’ve been so lucky. The decision to move over the water from Ireland to work for Lucinda Russell is definitely the best decision I ever made.
“I owe it all to Lucinda really, for giving me the opportunities and she’s very understanding of everything. Even after I got the fall last week, she was perfectly happy for me not to ride until Corach and save myself for today – all that support means everything.”
Of his brilliant partner Corach Rambler, the jockey added: “He has his own way of doing things and his own running style and you really have to just go with what he is feeling like on the day.
“He wanted to be a bit handier today, so I was happy to go with it. I always felt like he was enjoying himself up there, so I wasn’t worried about being a bit closer than usual.
“He’s a remarkable horse with a great attitude and he’s so clever. He shortens up, he goes long – he’s everything really that you want in a National horse.”
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Bookmakers pronounced themselves content despite 8-1 favourite Corach Rambler prevailing in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.
Lucinda Russell’s charge had long been towards the head of the market, with his position strengthened after he registered back-to-back victories in the Ultima Handicap Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Technically 10lb well-in on revised ratings, Corach Rambler was usurped as National favourite by Ain’t That A Shame on Friday while Delta Work also had a spell at the top of the betting, but he eventually went off the market leader – with his two-and-a-quarter-length verdict over Vanillier not unwelcomed with William Hill.
Spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “There will be plenty of happy punters heading home from Aintree with cash in their pockets, but Corach Rambler, despite being the clear favourite, was a good result for us.
“He was sent off as the market leader, but he wasn’t an overly strong one, with favouritism for the most bet-on race of the year changing hands several times in the build-up.
“This was one of the most open Grand Nationals we’ve seen for a long time, with punters preferring to snap up the double-figure prices about the likes of Back On The Lash and Any Second Now, rather than lumping on the favourite.
“The Big Dog, fourth, and Born By The Sea, who sneaked into the six places we paid at a monster 50-1, were well supported, but overall we’ve come out on top in the race.”
Corach Rambler was a fair result for the bookmakers (Mike Egerton/PA)
Coral’s David Stevens also reported the placed runners to be the only downside to the result.
He said: “Once again the Grand National proved to be a huge hit with not just racing fans but the wider public, and with millions having their annual flutter, horses such as Back On The Lash, The Big Dog and Coko Beach emerged as our worst results.
“Because of the unique spread of money we see on this day, victory for Corach Rambler was not the costly outcome it could have been, so for once we pay out on a winning favourite with a smile.”
Corach Rambler was a Scottish-trained winner (Peter Byrne/PA)
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield felt the result was far from a disaster for the bookmakers.
He said: “It was a decent result for us as the Rachael Blackmore factor came into play and Ain’t That A Shame was latched on to by punters as was last year’s hero Noble Yeats who was well backed in the run-up to the race and ran an absolute cracker in fourth off a big weight.
“The places weren’t the greatest for us, but we’ll certainly take them all things considered.”
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes reported plenty of support for Corach Rambler in Scotland, with Russell’s yard based in Perthshire.
She said: “It’s one for Scotland again! Corach Rambler is the toast of the nation tonight after romping home to win the Grand National. The Lucinda Russell-trained champion was incredibly popular in our Scottish shops, before going off favourite to win in brilliant fashion.”
Saturday sees the 175th running of the Grand National at Aintree.
Corach Rambler currently heads the betting but here, the PA news agency runs through the entire field.
1. ANY SECOND NOW (Ted Walsh) Rating (out of 10) 7 Third in 2021 and runner-up last year, he bids to go one better for a trainer who has a good record in the race. This classy performer must buck history, for not since 1899 has an 11-year-old managed to win race carrying as much weight.
Any Second Now has a good Aintree record (Brian Lawless/PA)
2. NOBLE YEATS (Emmet Mullins) 9 A shock 50-1 winner last year, his Gold Cup fourth was a good effort and while he carries over a stone more than last year, age and experience are on his side.
3. GALVIN (Gordon Elliott) 9 Talented but inconsistent recently, stamina is seemingly not a problem for this Grade One winner who landed Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase two years ago and finished fourth in the Gold Cup last year. Always regarded as National prospect.
4. FURY ROAD (Gordon Elliott) 6 A solid jumper who represents the same connections as dual winner Tiger Roll. A Grade One-winning novice chaser, he did seem to run out of steam when third in the Irish Gold Cup and was well held in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
5. THE BIG DOG (Peter Fahey) 7 Bounced back this season to take the Munster National and the Troytown at Navan, and was placed in the Welsh National. Led to three out in the Irish Gold Cup but uncharacteristically fell at the penultimate fence. Each-way claims.
6. CAPODANNO (Willie Mullins) 5 Owned by JP McManus, he bids to become only the second seven-year-old to win the National since Bogskar in 1940 after Noble Yeats last year. A Grade One winner but lacks experience and stamina is unproven.
7. DELTA WORK (Gordon Elliott) 7 Having denied stablemate Tiger Roll a fairytale farewell at Cheltenham last year, he followed up again in the same race last month beating Galvin. A distant third in this last year, he is slightly better off at the weights this time.
8. SAM BROWN (Anthony Honeyball) 6 Beaten just four lengths by Bravemansgame at Wetherby, he had not looked his best in two subsequent chase starts on unsuitable ground. Promising signs over hurdles at Uttoxeter and has won over regulation fences at Aintree before.
9. LIFETIME AMBITION (Jessica Harrington) 8 Only once out of the first four in 22 starts for his astute trainer. Likes to be up with the pace and has shown best form on soft ground. Fourth in the Grand Sefton on his first try over these fences. Could have a say if he sees out the trip.
10. CAREFULLY SELECTED (Willie Mullins) 7 Lightly-raced 11-year-old who justified favouritism in the Thyestes at Gowran on only his second run back after 30 months off. Has a touch of class and should go well if his jumping holds up.
11. COKO BEACH (Gordon Elliott) 8 Up with the pace before tiring from two out to finish eighth last year. Stronger this year, he jumped well when cosily taking the Punchestown Grand National Trial and his trainer’s runners must always be respected. Live outsider.
12. LONGHOUSE POET (Martin Bassil) 10 A fair sixth in 2022 despite racing with the choke out for much of the contest. Has had his mark protected with three hurdle runs this term by a trainer who won in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde. Prefers ease in the ground and if settling, holds strong claims.
13. GAILLARD DU MESNIL (Willie Mullins) 7 Opened his account over fences in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas and stayed on from well off the pace to get up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Improver, though this may come a year too soon.
14. DARASSO (Joseph O’Brien) 3 Chased home Hewick in the Galway Plate but has never won beyond two and three-quarter miles. Not one for the shortlist.
Gordon Elliott has six runners (David Davies/PA)
15. LE MILOS (Dan Skelton) 8 Has come into his own this season, winning a decent renewal of what used to be the Hennessy Gold Cup. Jumps, stays and has a decent weight, so ticks plenty of boxes for a trainer who knows the time of day. Leading chance.
16. ESCARIA TEN (Gordon Elliott) 4 Beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last season but stamina limitations were exposed, not for the first time, when weakening late to finish ninth in the National last year.
17. THE BIG BREAKAWAY (Joe Tizzard) 7 Produced some decent form this season, including a another narrow defeat in the Welsh Grand National. Jumps, stays and has a decent weight. Potential to run a big race, provided his Cheltenham run did not take too much out of him.
18. CAPE GENTLEMAN (John Joseph Hanlon) 3 A fair novice chaser who has shown little in recent runs to inspire much confidence, but represents a very capable trainer.
19. ROI MAGE (Patrick Griffin) 7 Ex-French Grade Three winner who really upped his game on anything he had previously shown for his current yard in conceding 5lb when a gallant runner-up to Longhouse Poet at Down Royal. Could be a player at decent odds.
20. DIOL KER (Noel Meade) 6 One win in 13 over fences came in the Leinster National. Blinkers helped when short-headed in a valuable Leopardstown handicap but disappointed since. Capable of better for his savvy trainer, however stamina doubts remain.
21. A WAVE OF THE SEA (Joseph O’Brien) 4 Represents powerful connections and young enough to think there is improvement to come. Three chase wins have all come over two and a half miles or shorter, though, and was pulled up in the Grand Annual last time out.
22. MINELLA TRUMP (Donald McCain) 5 Rattled up a six-timer as a novice in 2021 and won Perth Gold Cup in June. Last over seven over hurdles on recent comeback.
23. VANILLIER (Gavin Cromwell) 6 Clearly has class, but not proven so good over fences, with a sole success coming in a weak four-runner Grade Two. Runner-up finish to Kemboy in the Bobbyjo showed improvement, but trip is a concern.
24. VELVET ELVIS (Thomas Gibney) 3 Two wins from 10 over fences have both come at three miles. Close-up sixth in the Irish Grand National last April and second to Any Second Now when last seen. Another for whom this looks too soon.
25. AIN’T THAT A SHAME (Henry De Bromhead) 6 Was close up in the Munster National and Paddy Power Chase before getting off the mark over fences at the seventh time of asking. Inexperience is the drawback for this lightly-raced improver from a top yard.
26. CORACH RAMBLER (Lucinda Russell) 8 Dual winner at Cheltenham, he bids to give the Scottish yard its second win in the race after One For Arthur in 2017. Had a hard race when winning at Cheltenham again, but always been regarded as a horse tailor-made for this race.
Corach Rambler leads the betting (Andrew Milligan/PA)
27. ENJOY D’ALLEN (Ciaran Murphy) 3 Third in the Irish National two years ago is as good as it has got. Unseated at the first last year and has shown little subsequently, yet cannot be discounted given his connections.
28. MR INCREDIBLE (Willie Mullins) 7 Relished the step up to three miles and five furlongs when chasing home Iwilldoit in heavy ground at Warwick. A fine third in the Kim Muir, he could win but equally could plant his feet at the start.
29. MISTER COFFEY (Nicky Henderson) 5 Did not appear to take to the fences in the Topham, but ran a cracker to be third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. His master trainer may have to wait a while longer to win the one big race missing from his CV.
30. CLOUDY GLEN (Venetia Williams) 6 Former Coral (Hennessy) Gold Cup winner who finished third to stablemate Quick Wave on his first run following over a year off at Haydock in February. Pulled up subsequently in the Ultima. Stays well and soft ground would aid his chance.
31. HILL SIXTEEN (Sandy Thomson) 6 Last season’s Becher Chase runner-up was seventh in this year’s renewal of that race. More needed, though an assured jumper and no forlorn hope at big odds.
32. GABBYS CROSS (Henry De Bromhead) 6 Quick enough to win over two and a half miles as a novice, he had plenty of support when eighth in the Thyestes at Gowran Park. Followed that with a fine third in the Leinster National. Handles soft ground and should stay.
33. RECITE A PRAYER (Willie Mullins) 4 Cork National third needs to improve on his last two runs. Will likely stay, but in his own time.
34. EVA’S OSKAR (Tim Vaughan) 5 Was in good form earlier this season and put up a career-best in winning at Cheltenham in December. A distant Eider fourth was a fine effort under top-weight at Newcastle, but the grey needs to find a little more.
35. OUR POWER (Sam Thomas) 7 A tidy, accurate jumper who is well handicapped on the back of wins at Ascot and Kempton. Trainer does well with staying chasers and every chance of going well.
Noble Yeats won in 2022 (Steven Paston/PA)
36. DUNBOYNE (Gordon Elliott) 6 In good form this year. Came close to landing the Thyestes Chase before a decent effort when fourth in the Kim Muir. Will need to bely his relative inexperience to be a factor.
37. FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (Peter Bowen) 2 Easily held in the Becher and while he took well to Cheltenham’s cross-country course on his penultimate start, he refused after running well for a long way the second time. Plenty to find.
38. FORTESCUE (Henry Daly) 3 Becher fourth is the only worthwhile form shown this term and was going backwards when unseating four out last year.
39. BACK ON THE LASH (Martin Keighley) 4 Part-owned by Harry Redknapp, if transferring his liking for Cheltenham’s cross-country course to these iconic fences, he is not without hope. Should stay, yet perhaps lacks a touch of class.
40. BORN BY THE SEA (Paul John Gilligan) 1 Massive stamina doubts having spent the large majority of his career racing over shorter and even that form leaves him with plenty to find.
VERDICT:
Another wide-open renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase in which Irish trainers have provided four of the last five winners.
Strength in numbers means it is worth siding with the Irish raiders again. While Gordon Elliott, who scored with Tiger Roll in 2020 and 2021, is well positioned with several live chances, Martin Brassil also knows what it takes to win this and in LONGHOUSE POET he has a horse with many of the right credentials. A little too keen last year, he has been primed for this all season and if keeping clear of trouble near the head of affairs again, he is expected to run a huge race.
All distances seem to come alike to Noble Yeats, who has done little wrong since scoring last year. History is against him, but he is one for the shortlist again, especially as there has been sufficient recovery time from his Gold Cup exploits.
Picking the best of Elliott’s bunch is no easy task, although Galvin has a touch of class and could run into a place. Lifetime Ambition is wholly consistent and, if taking to the course, might take some valuable prize-money for Jessica Harrington.
Corach Rambler, Le Milos, Roi Mage and Vanillier and are all of interest, but could just miss out on the placings.
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Ante-post favourite Corach Rambler heads a full field of 40 for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.
Derek Fox has been declared to ride the dual Ultima Chase winner after recovering from a minor injury, with the jockey and trainer Lucinda Russell bidding for a second National success following One For Arthur’s triumph in 2017.
Next best in the betting is Delta Work, who is one of six contenders in the final field for trainer Gordon Elliott. The Cullentra House handler also fields the Davy Russell-ridden Galvin, Fury Road, Coko Beach, Escaria Ten and Dunboyne.
Noble Yeats triumphed last year under Sam Waley-Cohen (Steven Paston/PA)
Last year’s victor Noble Yeats defends his title for Emmet Mullins, with Sean Bowen in the plate this time after Sam Waley-Cohen famously retired on passing the Aintree winning post 12 months ago.
Willie Mullins’ five-strong strong team is headed by Gaillard Du Mesnil – a last-gasp winner of the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham – with Capodanno, Mr Incredible, Carefully Selected and Recite A Prayer also in the line up.
Paul Townend has opted to ride Gaillard Du Mesnil with leading conditional Michael O’Sullivan handed his first Grand National assignment aboard Carefully Selected.
The field is dominated by Irish-trained contenders with Any Second Now, The Big Dog, Longhouse Poet, Lifetime Ambition and Vanillier other prominent challengers.
Le Milos (centre) represents Dan and Harry Skelton (John Walton/PA)
Aside from Corach Rambler, only the Dan Skelton-trained Le Milos is shorter than 20-1 to keep the prize in Britain this time around.
Other home-trained hopes include The Big Breakaway for Joe Tizzard, Mister Coffey from Nicky Henderson’s yard and Back On The Lash, a winner over Cheltenham’s cross-country course for trainer Martin Keighley.
The last horse to make the cut for the race is Born By The Sea.
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Most 21-year-olds attending the Randox Grand National on Saturday will be putting on their finery and preparing for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at Aintree, but things will be slightly different for Cameron Sword.
That is because Sword, a student, is one of seven owners who form part of The Ramblers syndicate, who own the favourite for the big race in Corach Rambler.
Trained by Lucinda Russell, the nine-year-old became just the fourth horse to win the Ultima at Cheltenham for a second time and heads to Merseyside 10lb ‘well in’.
Not surprisingly for someone with youth on his side, Corach Rambler is Sword’s first taste of ownership and he is struggling to comprehend how fortunate he is.
Cameron Sword, Thomas Kendall, Keith Garwood and Gary Scott are four of the seven Ramblers (Andrew Milligan/PA)
“I got into horseracing through Covid, watching the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National and decided to have a bit of interest,” said Sword.
“I came up to Lucinda’s and Corach Rambler was the only horse for sale at the time. That’s a bit of luck and a bit of fate.
“I joined the syndicate. The horse was bought for £17,000 at the sales and the rest is history – two Cheltenham wins.
“It is my first horse. Mum has been roped in, she’s got a horse now so I can’t see it being the last, that’s for sure.
“There’s four of us in Scotland, one in Ireland, one in London and one in Australia. The age range goes from me to boys in their late 50s and early 60s, so it’s a nice mix.
“None of us knew each other before Corach but as we started to go to races, we started to become friends. We all know each other well now and we’ve shared some really special moments together, which I think build that bond more.”
Sword admits he has allowed his mind to wander to think what could happen, but he is well aware the National is a race like no other.
“It is a dream and if it happened it would be the best day of all our lives, but it is a 40-runner race and there is a lot that needs to go your way,” he said.
“He is a horse that sits at the back of the field so he needs a clear run through.
“If there is a horse that falls and trips him up, that’s the dream over but if we get the luck we need, then hopefully (he can win).
“I will scroll social media and he is starting to get the recognition he deserves. He went under the radar at the Ultima, even though he won it the year before. He is starting to get a bit of respect in the industry, people know his name.
“Lucinda and Scu (Peter Scudamore) have played a blinder. They’ve got the horse 10lb ‘well in’ for the Grand National, back-to-back winners at Cheltenham, it is unbelievable.”
The Ramblers with Corach Rambler after his second Cheltenham win (Steven Paston/PA)
Sword was also full of praise for the man who – injury permitting – will be in the saddle.
“A big shout-out goes to Derek Fox, too, he is a jockey that doesn’t get spoken about enough,” he said.
“He’s a fantastic jockey and he gives the horse a brilliant ride every time.”
Thirty-year-old accountant Thomas Kendall is another of The Ramblers and he is involved in other horses within the yard.
“I have had horses with Lucinda for a good few years now,” he said.
Thomas Kendall with Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)
“This one suddenly popped up out of the blue and it is a dream come true to have a horse like this. You don’t expect it.
“This is a level of success which is beyond my wildest dreams and we are sitting here before the Grand National thinking could it actually happen?
“He has earned his place there and we are all looking forward to it now.
“We are going down on the Friday night. There is a big group of us, a lot of my pals who either have never been to the races before, or are seasoned racegoers all going to be there on Saturday.
“We are planning our purple and yellow suits and dresses and all that kind of stuff, so hopefully he will be able to see we are there cheering him on and he will be able to do us proud.
“I don’t like to get carried away with it all, but you look at it standing back and you have to say he has a really good chance.
“He’s 10lb ‘well in’ and I know I wouldn’t want to be running with an extra 10lb on me. I definitely think that is a plus point.
“Clearly he has never been over the fences before and he has never ran that far before, but I think it all points to him having a good chance.”
Scudamore, Russell’s partner and assistant, rides Corach Rambler every morning, and he does confess to feeling the team may be pushing their luck given they won the National with One For Arthur in 2017.
“When I was at Cheltenham and I walked up to the stand, I thought ‘he can’t do it twice’, the luck of doing it twice was beyond real, so I feel a little bit the same about this,” said Scudamore.
“I don’t know. He is a worthy favourite. He has all the attributes to win the Grand National, the rest is what’s sport’s about.”
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Brian Hughes will partner Ahoy Senor in Thursday’s Alder Hey Aintree Bowl with Derek Fox still recuperating from injury.
Fox has ridden the gelding in all of his starts under rules but a fall from Rowdy Rustler at Wetherby on April 6 has aggravated an existing shoulder problem.
The ride on Corach Rambler in the Randox Grand National takes priority for Fox, who has therefore opted not to ride Ahoy Senor in order to give himself the best shot at recovery before Saturday.
Speaking to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, Lucinda Russell, trainer of both horses, said: “Derek had a fall at Wetherby, he’s got a problem with his shoulder and that seems to have flared up again.
“He’s just a little bit sore. Corach Rambler in the National, off the weight that he’s got, that’s the aim for the whole year. I think he’s going to have to look after himself and just get himself right for that race.
Ahoy Senor and Derek Fox (Tim Goode/PA)
“It does unfortunately mean he won’t be able to ride Ahoy Senor in the Bowl, but we’ve got a very able substitute in Brian Hughes who has actually been in today and schooled him, everything went really well.
“It’s a bit of a shame for Derek but I think he’s doing the right thing and we’ve got to be sensible about it and as I say, Corach Rambler off 10st 5lb in the National has to be his aim.”
Russell and her assistant and partner Peter Scudamore have supported Fox in the decision and the trainer remains positive about his ability to take the Corach Rambler ride – though Hughes has also schooled that horse and could step in should Fox not be fit to partake.
“We’re very close here as a team, we’ve been talking about it the whole way through and it’s a decision that Derek has made that we’ve helped with,” she said.
“Scu and myself have discussed it, we had a long conversation yesterday about it and I think it’s really hard for him. It’s killing him not to ride Ahoy Senor but it’s the right thing to do. It’s a wise decision and I’m right behind him all the way, I support him totally in that decision.”
Donald McCain’s Minella Trump (Tim Goode/PA)
She went on: “It has to be said that Brian also schooled Corach over the National fences this morning. That would be a contingency plan but I’m pretty sure in my own mind, I’d say 98.99 per cent sure, that Derek will be riding him on Saturday and that he’ll be fit to do that.”
Hughes will available to ride Corach Rambler if needed as he will not be required aboard Minella Trump for Donald McCain, for whom he is stable jockey.
Theo Gillard is instead booked to ride the horse, a decision made irrespective of Hughes’ status as understudy to Fox on Saturday.
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The Randox Grand National is Corach Rambler’s “ticket to greatness” as Lucinda Russell goes in search of her second victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
The Kinross-based handler is well-versed in preparing one for Aintree. She sent out the late One For Arthur to become only the second-ever Scottish-trained winner of the race in 2017 and nursed her National hero back to his best while many were crying for retirement to finish sixth at the age of 10 in 2019.
Since One For Arthur so memorably landed a telling blow six years ago, only the Covid pandemic has been able to stop the Irish domination on Merseyside.
But now the Scottish handler has the perfect candidate to blunt the challenge from across the Irish Sea in Corach Rambler – the upwardly mobile eight-year-old who finds himself near the top of the betting for the big race following back-to-back victories at the Cheltenham Festival.
Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox on their way to winning the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (Mike Egerton/PA)
“I definitely think he has the qualities,” said Russell, when assessing her charge’s chances.
“He’s got the bravery and he has the desire to race and the will to win. It’s up to him and Derek (Fox, jockey) now to see if they take to the fences and keep out of trouble throughout the race.
“I think we saw at Cheltenham that he stays very well and he seems to travel really well as well. Although he gets sort of shuffled back sometimes, I thought he travelled much better this year than he did last year. That certainly gives you hope for Aintree.
“The big question is will he take to the fences and that will be a bit different for him. But his jumping seems to be one of his assets, it’s not that he’s extra flamboyant or anything, he’s very neat in his jumping. Although he’s a bold horse, he’s not stupid about things and that bodes well for Aintree.”
Not only is the dual Ultima winner one of the stars of Russell’s rapidly-improving string, but he is also the apple of her partner Peter Scudamore’s eye.
Peter Scudamore and Lucinda Russell consider Corach Rambler part of the family (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Corach Rambler and the former champion jockey are an inseparable pair and with the gelding very much part of the family at Arlary House, the bond between man and horse adds an extra layer of emotion ahead of their tilt at National glory.
“This is going to be very different to One For Arthur because this horse is very close to Scu which adds an extra angle to it,” continued Russell.
“Arthur was a horse we loved greatly, but it is a bit different when Corach is a horse that you half-invite into the house and is very close to us.
“That will add an extra anxiety to Scu’s day definitely, and I’m sure mine as well.
“That makes it even more special and for a horse like Corach, it’s his ticket to greatness. He’s won twice at the Festival and winning the same race two years running is quite an achievement – but it would be lovely for him if he could add a National.”
Cameron Sword, Thomas Kendall, Keith Garwood and Gary Scott, co-owners of Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)
It is easy to make comparisons between One For Arthur and this year’s contender. Both headed to Liverpool with a rating in the mid-to-late 140s and there are no secrets in the way big-race pilot Fox will navigate the 30 fences – biding his time and hoping to produce Corach Rambler deep into the contest as he did to great success previously.
However, the Kinross-based handler believes Corach Rambler’s ground versatility is one huge difference which could prove key on the big day.
She said: “I think we’re lucky with that, whereas Arthur was a horse who needed soft ground, and although he handled the good ground, it damaged him in the long run.
“I don’t feel that with Corach, I feel he can actually go on most grounds which is quite heartening ahead of a National.
“The ground isn’t a problem to him which is a big thing when you are taking on a race like the Grand National, because you never know what conditions are going to be like and you are only aiming at the one race – it’s not like you can stop and go somewhere else the next week.”
Corach Rambler will race off a mark 2lb lower than that of One For Arthur on Merseyside, but far from careful planning, it is just simple luck and a helping hand from the weather gods that sees the six-time winner line-up 10lb well-in following his win at Prestbury Park.
“It’s funny how it works out,” explained Russell. “After Newbury (Coral Gold Cup) we said we’d aim for the National and run one more time, and we kept entering him in all these races.
“We would have run him at Lingfield (on Winter Million weekend) if it had been on and it’s probably a good thing he didn’t run at Lingfield because he might have gone up in the handicap.
“In the end we look like total geniuses because he’s gone up 10lb after the weights have come out due to winning at Cheltenham.”
One of the endearing features of the Russell-Scudamore operation is the warmth shown by both trainer and assistant towards those housed at the yard.
HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! 😮
Corach Rambler gets up for a repeat in the Ultima Handicap for Derek Fox & Lucinda Russell 👏 pic.twitter.com/y2fs5dm8R0
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 14, 2023
And despite having total faith in their ability to prepare a horse for the big occasion, the strong connection they share with their inmates means there will be plenty of nerves when Corach Rambler faces the starter at 5.15pm on April 15.
“It would be slightly different (this year) because we have more confidence and we know how to produce the horses, knowing what it takes to win a National.” explained the handler.
“But there is still going to be the stress and anxiety of getting the luck in running. We get very close to these horses and in the last couple of years we seem to be getting even closer still because we ride them ourselves and are really hands on, it does add that extra element to it.”
A second National would be the perfect way for Russell to round off a stellar season which has seen her eclipse her previous best campaign numerically.
Grand National winner One For Arthur pictured with trainer Lucinda Russell at her yard in Kinross, Scotland (Ian Rutherford/PA)
Scooping the £500,000 first-prize would also take her past the £1million prize-money mark for the first time and shows the power the Aintree showpiece has to alter the course of a trainer’s journey.
“Arthur was a huge boost for the yard and shot us into people’s perceptions and we have been able to build on that,” said Russell.
“People say winning a National will change your life and I was kind of in denial, but it genuinely did. It does change your life and it changes your perception of yourself and boosts your own self confidence as much as other peoples.”
“The fact we have had a Cheltenham Festival winner this year and have some lovely novice hurdlers that we can’t wait to go over fences with next year, the future is looking very rosy, and if we can add a Grand National it would really show what a super season we have had.”
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All the leading contenders for the Randox Grand National have stood their ground at the five-day declaration stage for Saturday’s big race at Aintree.
A maximum field of 40 looks assured for the £1million showpiece, with Corach Rambler heading the market for Lucinda Russell.
Last year’s winner and recent Gold Cup fourth Noble Yeats will bid to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll as a multiple winner of world’s greatest steeplechase.
Venetia Williams, who won the prize in 2009 with 100-1 shot Mon Mome, will rely on Cloudy Glen for the late Trevor Hemmings, with Royale Pagaille bypassing the race for the Irish version added to the withdrawal of her Haydock Grand National Trial winner Quick Wave.
Lucinda Russell with National favourite Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)
The defection of that duo means good news for trainers Sam Thomas and Gordon Elliott, who see Our Power and Dunboyne respectively sneaking in near the foot of the handicap, while Francky Du Berlais, Fortescue, Back On The Lash and Defi Bleu are also guaranteed a run.
Envoi Allen, The Shunter, Gin On Lime and Battleoverdoyen also had places in the field but were removed as the contenders were whittled down to 50, with the Elliott-trained Gevrey and Punitive, who are next on the list, potentially missing the cut. Gevrey though ran a huge race in the Irish National, going down by just a length in a last-gasp finish.
Our Power, winner of four of his eight starts over fences, including Ascot’s London Gold Cup and the Coral Trophy at Kempton on his previous two runs, carries just 10st in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.
Dunboyne, who was runner-up in the Thyestes at Gowran Park and then fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, is one of seven sure of a place in the line-up for County Meath handler Elliott as he bids for a fourth win following the success of Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019).
Delta Work leads Gordon Elliott’s team (Mike Egerton/PA)
Delta Work and Galvin, who gave Elliott a one-two in Cheltenham’s cross-country chase, spearhead the Summerhill handler’s team, which also includes Coko Beach, Fury Road, Escaria Ten and the aforementioned Defi Bleu, although he too was in action in the Irish National, outrunning his odds to be third.
Any Second Now, who was runner-up to 50-1 winner Noble Yeats 12 months ago, tops the weights with 11st 12lb for Ted Walsh.
He is one of five horses who will bid to give owner JP McManus a third victory following those of Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021).
No less than 34 of the 50 left are Irish-trained, with the all-conquering Willie Mullins set to saddle five in Capodanno, Carefully Selected, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Mr Incredible and Recite A Prayer.
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Lucinda Russell could not be happier with Randox Grand National favourite Corach Rambler as the big day draws ever nearer.
The nine-year-old became just the fourth horse in history to win the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival more than once, and he will head to Aintree officially 10lb ‘well-in’.
Russell stated at the beginning of the season this campaign revolved around two races and with the first box ticked, she is building him up for the second assignment with the help of partner and assistant, former champion jockey Peter Scudamore.
“The prep is going really well. He ran at Cheltenham in the middle of March and since then it was a matter of letting him recover,” said Russell.
Peter Scudamore (left) and Lucinda Russell, with Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)
“That was the first thing and then since it has been sort of winding him up again to Aintree.
“He is a very straightforward horse to deal with in one way, but in another way, Scu rides him every day so I don’t have total control over what work he does.
“But he is just coming to himself, he looks very fit and I am very pleased with his weight and stuff and it is just a case of getting him in the right mind space now.”
Russell, of course, has already entered the history books by providing Scotland with just its second win in the great race when One For Arthur galloped to success in 2017.
He died recently at the age of 14 after suffering colic, and the poignancy of that is not lost on the Kinross-based trainer.
Corach Rambler inhabits the same box One For Arthur used to (Andrew Milligan/PA)
“Yes, I mean it is poignant, I always say that the wins are not just for the horse’s own glory, but it is for everyone else around them. It would be lovely,” she said.
“I know that the Two Golf Widows who owned One For Arthur, they are very excited again about us having a runner in the National.
“It is just lovely, the support that we have from everyone. Arthur was funny, he really did become family and his owners are very good friends of ours now.
“Corach already is family because Scu rides him all the time, but it is nice and it means so much to us.”
Famously some of the biggest names in racing have never won the Grand National and Russell has not even dared to think about winning it twice.
Lucinda Russell holding the Ultima trophy, which Corach Rambler won for a second time last month (Andrew Milligan/PA)
She said: “Gosh, I haven’t really thought about it.
“I always said it wouldn’t change my life (winning the National) but it did change my life to start with.
“Crikey, can it change my life again? I don’t know.
“But it is just nice because I feel that I am the figurehead but actually it is the people who sort of do it all. There is a lot of people behind so it is not really just for me, it is for everyone else.”
Russell is more than doing her bit to keep racing in Scotland on the map, which given that means competing against the likes of Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls, Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson on a regular basis is no mean feat.
“For this race, there is a lot of Irish horses in it. We have to do it all the time,” said Russell.
Lucinda Russell walks Corach Rambler through her yard (Andrew Milligan/PA)
“When you get to the top level you are competing against top-level horses, where they get trained doesn’t make much of a difference to me.
“It is exciting taking them on but it is not overwhelming.
“Arthur really put us on the map when he won, and I think that got the interest in racing from people (in Scotland) who weren’t normally interested in the racing.
“I think that if Corach was to win it this year, it would certainly increase the attention we are getting in Scottish racing.”
One constant at the yard since One For Arthur’s success has been jockey Derek Fox, and he will once again take the reins with Russell full pf praise for his main attributes.
Derek Fox celebrates after winning the Ultima for a second time on Corach Rambler (Mike Egerton/PA)
“He is just a fantastic person. He works here in the yard, he is in here every day,” she said.
“He knows the horses inside out. He is a tremendous horseman. He really gets the horses.
“He is very strong, very fit and he has got a racing brain that during the race he doesn’t panic. I think for races like the National and races at the top level you have to have someone who doesn’t see the red mist and Derek is supremely calm about things. It is great”.
Russell sadly lost her father this year, a main driving force behind her early days as a trainer.
“I always say about dad that I think everything we do is a tribute to him,” she said.
“When he was alive it was a tribute to him.
“He has passed away now but I think he would be proud of what we do and of course there is a lot of emotion to it. Really just the emotion of losing dad is overwhelming but the horses keep me pretty well grounded about things.”
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