Just the other week there Lucinda Russell recalled a trip down to the Thistle Hotel in Milnathort.
Still proudly propped up at the bar is a Tennent’s beer tap installed to mark One for Arthur’s Grand National triumph back in 2017.
Now, six years on, top trainer Lucinda is picturing and dreaming of Corach Rambler’s name also taking pride of place in the local watering hole.
Kinross-shire based nine-year-old Corach Rambler, as you will know by now, is favourite for the world’s greatest steeplechase tomorrow.
“We went down for a drink in the pub (Thistle Hotel) the other day and, when Arthur won, Tennent’s made him a beer tap,” Lucinda recalls. “That is still there.
“It would be lovely if there was one beside it. A Corach Rambler cider.”
If Lucinda had needed any evidence as to how much her yard was being noticed from a local point of view, the reception following One for Arthur’s win - beer tap aside - provided it.
“You win the National and are getting pulled from press to press,” she reflects to that glorious day six years ago.
“Then someone says: ‘When is the homecoming? The party tomorrow?
“When the horse arrived back at the stable there was to be a big video, film and all the press.
“I wasn’t ready for that at all so phoned Vicki at the Grouse and Claret saying ‘we need to have a party tomorrow’.
“I remember driving back up the road and it was really dark. Scu (Peter Scudamore) and I were saying we’ve won the National and we have a homecoming tomorrow.
“But what happens if nobody turns up? What if nobody has noticed or backed him?
“You get yourself in such a small world. What if nobody in Milnathort knows?
“We came along at 10 o’clock and there were loads of people. It was emotional and made me cry. I didn’t appreciate how much support we had.
“Since then, it has just got even better. I think, generally, people are more into community now - trying to be kind to people.”
Winning the Grand National will change your life, people had said to Lucinda. She didn’t quite believe them but has a differing opinion now.
“I was absolutely wrong,” she laughed. “Everything changed.
“My self-confidence got better and it pulled everyone together as a team.
“We have 50 people who work here - quite a big operation - and it can become quite spread out.
“But after Arthur everyone became really close and that has continued.
“The standard has gone up and we have some really good people working for us.
“And a lot of the team is still here. They know what they are doing and how to organise.
“My senior staff have been the same for a long time and that gives us the confidence to know that what we’re doing is right.”
There is a self-confidence, too, that the decision to set-up base in Kinross-shire with partner Peter Scudamore was the correct one.
“I remember when Scu and I got together we talked about whether I was going down to Hereford or if he was coming up to Scotland,” Lucinda said. “We made the decision to stay in Scotland.
“I think the climate up here is actually better for training horses. We have lots of fresh air, it doesn’t get that warm and muggy way.
“Down south a lot of people are aware of racing and want to own a racehorse. Up here, it wasn’t really that popular but, after Arthur, it alerted people.
“Especially with the owners he had - the Two Golf Widows - who were perfectly normal people whose husbands played golf. They were bored so decided to buy a racehorse together.
“It was a fantastic story and suddenly people realised owning a racehorse is achievable.
“Corach is owned by seven people. These guys are living the dream. Some have never had racehorses before, some have had little shares in flat horses.
“Now, all of a sudden, they have the favourite for the National. A fabulous story.”
Corach was looking in fine fettle when this newspaper paid a visit to the stables Milnathort.
Lucinda admits the build-up to the National can be a particularly nervy one.
And especially when you are caring for the favourite.
“From a personal level, I sort of have a bit of anxiety all the time,” she smiled.
“Anything a little bit odd with Corach or the other horses, I get quite edgy about it.
“I think the people on the yard are the same. Everything has to be right. We can’t miss things and make mistakes.
“So everyone is a little wound up and edgy, but only in a good and positive way.
“We are very lucky just now and have had a fantastic season where we’re trying to break the Scottish record for winners again.
“I’ve never had a season like it where our stats have been so good. Our percentage of winners to runners is phenomenal.
“The standard of the horses has increased and the riders are fantastic. We are trying to ride that wave and take it into Aintree.”
Whatever happens tomorrow, Lucinda is hugely proud of what she has been able to create in the scenic Kinross-shire countryside.
She said: “If people are interested in the yard, I love it. Absolutely love it. If we can give a little bit back to the community and give them something to follow, that is fantastic.
“Little girls come up to me at the races asking for my autograph, which I find very flattering.
“It is just lovely and suddenly I see myself in them. If we can encourage them and get them interested then that is just great.
“When I see the horses in the paper I am very proud of what we have done. It is certainly not for me, it is for the horse, for Lucinda Russell Racing and everyone who works here.”
