Just as she did six years ago trainer Lucinda Russell broke the Irish domination of the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse as Corach Rambler stormed home to give her a superb second victory.
While there was a delay to the 175th running of the world's greatest steeplechase as animal rights protestors got onto the course, there was no stopping Russell's nine-year-old, who was sent off the well-backed 8-1 favourite. Under Derek Fox, who was only confirmed to ride in the race on the eve of the Grand National after suffering an injury, Corach Rambler came home ahead of a runner from the Emerald Isle – Gavin Cromwell's Vanillier (20-1) – to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths. Willie Mullins' Galliard Du Mesnil (10-1) was a further four-and-three-quarters back in third and last year's winner Noble Yeats (10-1) ran a gallant race in the defence of his crown in fourth another length-and-a-half adrift. But it was all about the winner Corach Rambler – who 40 years on from when Jenny Pitman became the first woman train the winner of the Grand National with Corbiere – helped Russell to equal the former 'Queen of Aintree' with two successes.
Corach Rambler had shot to the head of the ante-post betting after he won the Ultima Handicap Chase for a second successive season at last month's Cheltenham Festival. And being officially 10lb 'well-in' on the handicap following that second victory, he came into the race seemingly with all the attributes to go well. And so it proved, with punters sending him off the favourite despite the likes of Ain't That A Shame, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Delta Work and Noble Yeats being similarly well-backed.
