NATIONAL TREASURE
There’s a warm welcome north of the Border for the champ and his trainer Lucinda Russell
LUCINDA RUSSELL and star horse One for Arthur were given a heroes’ welcome back in Scotland yesterday.
The Perthshire trainer and the Grand National winner were swamped by enthusiastic backers and well-wishers at Arlary House stables in Milnathort, Kinross.
Just under 1000 delighted locals of all ages were on hand to see Russell parade One for Arthur – only the second Scottish victor in the Aintree showpiece and the first in 38 years.
Russell’s success was toasted throughout the nation after patriotic punters backed the eight-year-old.
Ridden by Derek Fox, he stormed to a win in front of a 70,000 crowd on Merseyside at odds of 14-1.
Lucinda is only the fourth woman to train a National winner after Jenny Pitman in 1983 and 1995, Venetia Williams in 2009 and Sue Smith in 2013.
She admitted she was blown away by the reception before she joined staff at the the Grouse & Claret pub in Heatheryford to kick on with the celebrations. She said: “I didn’t realise we were so popular until we turned up here and saw this. “It’s like herding cats and it’s superb to get everyone into the yard and have the interest. “The response has been absolutely fantastic. I think I got 280 messages on my phone. “You do have to spend a lot of time answering back but it’s been amazing. “The interest which has been shown by everyone in Scotland and from old friends is just brilliant. “I had a boring night on Saturday. We had a few drinks with the owners and then left for home. “I think we got back about 12.30pm, watched the replay and went to bed. Not very exciting. “However, the staff had a bit more of an exciting time and a big party. “It started after the race and went on for 12 hours at least. “I’m very proud of what we do here and it was great to think about all the staff down at the pub having such a great time because they have all worked so hard on this horse.
“If we can raise interest in the sport, that’s very important and that’s what we’ll be hoping to do from this.”
Asked about treating herself after the victory, she smiled: “What have I promised myself ? A bigger campervan!
“It’s not really about me. I’m getting all the publicity and I’ve got some nice new jackets which say Grand National winner on them.
“But it’s about the staff – they are the ones who look after the horses and do all the hard work.”
Russell’s assistant trainer and partner Peter Scudamore also savoured the success – although he did have split loyalties.
His son Tom was riding fancied opponent Vieux Lion Rouge, who ran a huge race to finish sixth.
Scu said: “Because I was confident in the horse, I didn’t really get emotional when he won – it was more of a job satisfaction thing. If Thomas had won, I might have been more emotional – but that doesn’t mean it was any less fantastic. He was one of the first to offer congratulations.
“I had to support Arthur but as I love him, I haven’t spent thousands of pounds on him in school fees.
“Arthur was at the back after the Canal Turn second time and I’m thinking Thomas is going to win. Suddenly it changed – and my loyalties changed!”
Owners Belinda McClung and Deborah Thomson, who bought One for Arthur for £60,000 three years ago, joined the party late having stayed overnight in Liverpool. Belinda said: “We didn’t actually leave the racecourse until about 9pm. We had a few bottles of champagne with the cup then we left the racecourse.
“We walked into the hotel bar and a huge cheer went up.
“There were complete strangers buying us bottles of champagne and people were wanting our autographs.
“Derek was inundated. I can’t believe it’s happened. It will take a while to sink in I think.”
It’s about the staff – they are the ones who do all the hard work LUCINDA RUSSELL