Corach Rambler lined up for Cheltenham Gold Cup after Grand National triumph
Two-time Ultima winner is set for a shot at the Festival showpiece in 2024 after success at Aintree
orach Rambler is being lined up for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup after his Grand National triumph.
The Lucinda Russell-trained gelding has twice won over the Cheltenham fences with back-to-back victories in the Ultima and is being earmarked for a shot at next year’s big race at the Festival.
Looking ahead to the next challenge, Russell said: “Corach has probably run himself out of handicap company so we will probably have to look at conditions races. He is unbeaten at Cheltenham and Aintree having won both his races there.
“We felt he had improved after he won at Cheltenham last month and, if he can improve after what he did on Saturday, who knows what he will be able to do?”
Victory at Aintree proved a second for Russell as well as jockey Derek Fox, who had teamed up for 2017 winner One for Arthur. Fox was only given the late medical all-clear to ride following a shoulder injury.
Celebrations: Lucinda Russell claimed her second Grand National win with Corach Rambler
/ PACorach Rambler is only the third horse trained in Scotland to win the National in what was its 175th edition. The nine-year-old cost just £17,000 and is owned by a syndicate of seven brought together by Russell and ranging from the horse’s original breeder to an accountant and a university student.
Hundreds of well-wishers flocked to Russell’s Arlary House Stables in the aftermath of the Grand National triumph following a race build-up marred by animal rights protestors breaking into Aintree.
It was an open stable policy with Corach Rambler’s owners also inviting any animal rights groups to attend.
Cameron Sword, a 21-year-old student with a stake in the horse, said: “What I would say is please learn about the sport, come and see what goes on. It’s an open-door policy, come to look at how the horses are treated.”
The aftermath of the race was overshadowed by tragedy after Hill Sixteen had to be put down after injuries sustained falling at the first fence.
The horse’s trainer Sandy Thomson blamed protestors for the death. He said: “A lot of horses got very hyped up and there was no parade, which I do think didn’t help. It is a time when jockeys get to gather their thoughts but everyone was on edge. The start was a real shambles because everyone just wanted to get the race off.
“It was totally frenetic and that relays to the horses. Hill Sixteen had never previously made a mistake around Aintree and jumped around the track twice.”