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Irish Mirror

Sport

Robert Hynes

Grand National full result and placings from the big race at Aintree

Grand National Aintree (Facility) National (Event) Corach Rambler Davy Russell Derek Fox Lucinda Russell

Corach Rambler won the 2023 Grand National under jockey Derek Fox for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell at Aintree on Saturday.

The 8/1 shot powered into the race under Fox, who had only returned from injury to take the ride after being given a late thumbs up from the doctor, and stayed on well to see off the late challengers.

They included the Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier, ridden by Sean Flanagan, and Gaillard Du Mesnil under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.

Loose horses caused some issues during the first circuit with Cloudy Glen, Diol Ker and Hill Sixteen all falling at the very first fence.

But the eventual winner, who was following up his victory in last month's Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, was kept out of trouble throughout the race, which was delayed by around 15 minutes due to animal rights protestors.

The victory gave both the trainer and jockey a second Grand National victory after One For Arthur's success in 2017

Trainer Russell said afterwards: “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.

Derek Fox and Lucinda Russell celebrate after winning the Grand National (PA)

“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.”

And it was an extremely popular win with Scottish punters.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "It’s one for Scotland again! Corach Rambler is the toast of the nation tonight after romping home to win the Grand National.

"The Lucinda Russell-trained champion was incredibly popular in our Scottish shops, before going off favourite to win in brilliant fashion."

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield commented: “It was a decent result for us as the Rachael Blackmore factor came into play and Ain’t That A Shame was latched on to by punters as was last year’s hero Noble Yeats who was well backed in the run up to the race and ran an absolute cracker in fourth off a big weight.

“The places weren’t the greatest for us, but we’ll certainly take them all things considered.”

William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, added: “There will be plenty of happy punters heading home from Aintree with cash in their pockets, but Corach Rambler, despite being the clear favourite, was a good result for us. He was sent off as the market leader, but he wasn’t an overly strong one, with favouritism for the most bet-on race of the year changing hands several times in the build-up.

“This was one of the most open Grand Nationals we’ve seen for a long time, with punters preferring to snap up the double-figure prices about the likes of Back On The Lash and Any Second Now, rather than lumping on the favourite. The Big Dog, fourth, and Born By The Sea, who sneaked into the six places we paid at a monster 50/1, were well-supported, but overall we’ve come out on top in the race.”

The race was delayed after a number of protestors broke in to the course prior to the world's most famous steeplechase.

Animal Rising had threatened to disrupt the four-and-a-quarter-mile and were protesting from early on Saturday morning outside the track.

As the National runners were in the parade ring, a number of protestors breached security fences around the Liverpool venue and ran on to the course.

The horses were sent back to the pre-parade ring, with the race delayed as police dealt with the intruders.

The track tweeted: “Update on The Randox Grand National: There will be a slight delay to the Grand National race. We will update as soon as possible.”

The jockeys were given the signal to mount at around 5.20pm – over five minutes after the scheduled start time.

Corach Rambler has been installed as the favourite for next year's Grand National, with Boylesports pricing him at 14/1.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “What an incredible second Grand National win for Lucinda Russell, Derek Fox and Scotland with Corach Rambler claiming the 2023 Grand National! Corach Rambler looked very comfortable and now heads the betting for next year’s Aintree Grand National at 14/1 with BoyleSports.”

Meanwhile, earlier on the card Sire Du Berlais completed a Grade 1 double for Gordon Elliott when winning the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle under Mark Walsh for owner JP McManus.

The 11-year-old's victory came some 35 minutes after Irish Point won the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle under Davy Russell.

Grand National result in full:

1st: Corach Rambler 8/1 f

2nd: Vanillier 20/1

3rd: Gaillard Du Mesnil 10/1

4th: Noble Yeats 10/1

5th: The Big Dog 12/1

6th: Born By The Sea 50/1

7th: Roi Mage 33/1

8th: Mister Coffey 33/1

9th: A Wave Of The Sea 66/1

10th: Le Milos 12/1