'It's all about Corach. He was brilliant'

A distinctive gelding, who “loves shovels-full of carrots and parsnips”, gives Kinross trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox an incredible second win in the Randox Grand National

- MARCUS ARMYTAGE

Randox Grand National, Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside

CORACH RAMBLER, an improving nine-year-old, ran out a comfortable 2¼-length winner of a disrupted 175th Randox Grand National at Aintree to add his name to the honours board for the first time. But having won it with One For Arthur in 2017, the names of trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox were already familiar to the engraver.

After a start delayed 15 minutes by protestors, the end result was great on numerous levels, not least because it was a third win for Scotland and a favourite for the punters.

Russell and her partner Peter Scudamore – the multiple champion jockey who never managed to replicate his father Michael’s feat of riding the winner – are so invested in the history and emotion of the race that they can only watch it through a hanky, so winning it a second time is not just winning another race for them.

“I know how important it is to win the National,” said Russell. “I know how it changed my life with Arthur and what reverence Arthur was held in. For Corach to achieve that now is just fantastic. It’s all about the horses.

“For me, it’s not about the betting – though I did back him, quite a lot. I’m delighted for everyone, but do you know what? It’s all about Corach. He was brilliant.”

“You shouldn’t get too attached to these beautiful creatures, but you do,” said Scudamore who rides him out daily. “He’ll be looked after for the rest of his life and the fact he came home safe and sound means more than winning.”