Easy life for Arthur

Going: Standard Draw: Low best in races up to a mile LUCINDA Russell insists Randox Health Grand National winner One For Arthur will be put under no pressure to repeat his feat next year.

Bookmakers have already installed the 14-1 winner as favourite for an Aintree double in 12 months’ time, after he became the first Scottish-trained horse in 38 years to win the world’s greatest steeplechase, emulating Rubstic in 1979.

Milnathort trainer Russell said: “That’s it now for Arthur this season. He is entered in the Scottish National, but he won’t be racing. We’ll take him out to the field for a nice summer break and then he’ll be back at Kelso hopefully in October.

“The bookies have already made him the favourite for next year’s National, but there’s no pressure on him. He dictates the pressure and he’s been a super horse to train. He really does have some ability.

“Straight after the race I kept thinking, ‘This is incredible, I’ve just won the Grand National’ and it doesn’t really sink in. It’s just been my ambition all the time.”

Jockey Derek Fox bided his time before launching a late spurt that saw hit dart home to win by four and a half lengths from Cause Of Causes. The feat is all the more remarkable given Fox, 24, suffered a broken wrist and dislocated collarbone just four weeks ago.

Russell’s partner and assistant Peter Scudamore, the former multiple champion jockey, hailed his winning ride, insisting few others could have mounted the remarkable recovery Fox made in order to write his name into the history books.

“We’re (jockeys) not known for our brains,” he said. “People say we’re very brave, but there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. I felt so awful when Derek fell at Carlisle. He was in a bad way with a lot of pain.

“I’ve done what he did and had to have an operation on my wrist. Luckily he just bruised the bone.

“But without the medical care he had, he wouldn’t have made it.”