Lucinda Russell trained Corach Rambler wins delayed Grand National after protests

Corach Rambler has become the second Scottish trained horse to win the Grand National in six years.

The victory for the horse trained by Lucinda Russell comes after One For Arthur’s win at the same course for the same trainer and jockey in 2017.

Previously successful with One For Arthur, Russell’s charge jumped the last in front for Derek Fox and came home in front of Vanillier.

Gaillard Du Mesnil was third, in a race that was delayed by around 15 minutes after protestors from Animal Rising got on to the track.

The 5.15 start was delayed after protestors breached heavy security to get onto the track and a number of individuals were successful in clearing the steel fence that had been erected to keep them out.

Corach Rambler, who was the favourite going into the race, can add the win at the flagship Aintree race to two previous Cheltenham victories.

One For Arthur was only the second Scottish trained horse to win the National when the completed the famous course in first place with jockey Derek Fox in 2017.

And Fox was the jockey again as Rambler took ahead after the last fence to win the race.

It was a second victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase for Russell and Fox, after One For Arthur in 2017.

Russell said: “Those guys that went out to protest on the course, they think it’s about horse welfare but that horse loves the sport. He loves everything that he does. He’s kept in the best condition and I’m just so delighted that he can run in a race like that and perform like that.

“He has got greatness and it’s what he deserves. Corach Rambler, in our hearts, is just the best horse. Now in the public hearts he is as well. To win the National, I know how important it is, I know how it changed my life with (One For) Arthur – for Corach to achieve that too is just fantastic.

“It’s all about the horse, for me it’s not about the betting – though I did back him and quite a lot actually!

“I hope those guys who were protesting will look at our website and our Facebook posts and see how they are looked after. It is so important they understand how we care for them every inch of the way.

“It is about Corach, he is just amazing. He took to those fences brilliantly, he understood them, he worked them out – he loved it.”

Fox had sat out the first two days of the meeting in order to recover from injury in time to ride Corach Rambler.

He said: “He is just the most wonderful thing ever, he deserved to win this. I got a fall last week and banged my shoulder, it was far from ideal. I was worried all week, I thank God I was back in time because it was the thrill of my life to ride him.

“It’s thanks to the support of Lucinda and Scu (Peter Scudamore, assistant trainer and Russell’s partner) for having the faith in me to put me up after not riding all week. I feel very lucky to be working for these great people.

“I think he’d the profile and he’s loads of class – I just can’t believe it.”