orach Rambler justified favouritism to deliver trainer Lucinda Russell a second Grand National success under a faultless ride from jockey Derek Fox, after the race was delayed by animal rights activists.
Russell and Fox combined to win the steeplechase in 2017 with One For Arthur and broke a streak of four successive victories for Irish trainers since as Corach Rambler (8/1) beat Vanillier (20/1) and Gaillard Du Mesnil (10/1) in front of a raucous Aintree crowd.
Noble Yeats (10/1), a shock winner at 50/1 twelve months ago, finished a fine fourth carrying 19lbs more than 12 months ago, with The Big Dog (12/1) in fifth.
The world’s most famous horse race was delayed by around 15 minutes after protestors from Animal Rising broke onto the track, attempted to attach themselves to fences and were involved in clashes with police, who tried to secure the course.
Horses initially returned to the pre-parade ring, while jockeys were told to remain in the weighing room, with the race eventually beginning without its usual formalities such as the National Anthem.
Corach Rambler had been made antepost favourite for the Aintree showpiece after winning the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month for a second year in a row, a victory that left him officially 10lbs well-in with the handicapper.
He was usurped at the head of the betting in the days leading up to the race, but late market support saw him sent off favourite. Having been delivered late from well off the pace in both of his Cheltenham successes, Fox positioned Corach Rambler far more prominently and avoided much of the first-circuit chaos that saw a number of leading contenders exit the race and a string of loose horses cause havoc.
Fox had not ridden since suffering a shoulder injury in a fall at Wetherby on April 6, but returned in the nick of time to partner Corach Rambler, who was sent to the front jumping the last and then held off the fast-finishing Vanillier by just over two lengths despite seeming to idol up the run-in.
“He is just the most wonderful thing ever, he deserved to win this,” Fox said. “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.”
