RAMBLER’S ‘FITTER THAN LAST YEAR’
CORACH RAMBLER is “in the form of his life” for his Randox Grand National title defence at Aintree today.
The Lucinda Russell-saddled 10-year-old, who beat the reopposing Vanillier by two and a quarter lengths 12 months ago, will bid to become the ninth horse to win the great race more than once in its 185-year history.
And the Kinross trainer is confident Derek Fox’s (right) mount is even better than when he added his name to the roll of honour in 2023. “He’s a bit harder and fitter this time around,” said the William Hill ambassador.
“He’s in the form of his life. He’s a bit like a prize fighter and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“Corach Rambler had a pre-race canter on Friday morning and everything went well, so it’s ‘all systems go’.
“It’s a very competitive National but he ticks a lot of boxes and I do think he’s the one to beat.” Russell, who also won the National with One For Arthur in 2017, added: “All horses are special in their own right but ‘Corach’ is genuinely the most amazing horse I’ve ever been involved with.
“He’s so intelligent and I think his intelligence is one of the major reasons why he ran so well in the race last year, because he figured out the fences so quickly. I walked the course on Friday and it doesn’t walk as soft as we thought, which is great, because he doesn’t want it too deep.”
The ground on the National course was officially soft overnight and Aintree clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said last evening: “It seems like it is drying out but the jockeys said it is still pretty soft.
“There is a forecast of drizzle during the early morning and then some showers in the afternoon tomorrow. but nothing too heavy.”