TOUGH NUT TO CORACH
Bargain buy Rambler priceless to Lu & Scu
A TRAINER’S bargain horse bought in the nick of time is a hot favourite to gallop into Grand National history at Aintree.
Lucinda Russell fell in love with another thoroughbred at the sales – and almost bypassed Corach Rambler in his stable.
But her partner Peter Scudamore instantly warmed to the ex point-to-pointer who failed to complete on his first two runs.
After a long day, Scottish racing’s leading couple left the event and Peter’s son Michael was in charge of putting in a successful bid.
But a conversation over a hot cup of tea almost scuppered the plan to buy the chaser for just £17,000.
He is now the market leader as he bids to match Tiger Roll’s 2018 and 2019 Grand National double.
“We’re very lucky Michael ran back to the sales ring and bought Corach, otherwise history might have been different,” said William Hill ambassador Russell, whose growing stable is half an hour north of Edinburgh.
“We rang him on the way home and he had forgotten all about it, as he was chatting in the canteen!
“Perhaps it was fate he got there in time.”
Unsure Corach Rambler had the pedigree or physical attributes to succeed, Russell is grateful he impressed eight-time champion jockey ‘Scu.’
The cheap purchase has twice won the Cheltenham Festival’s Ultima Chase – and upped his game this season with a Gold Cup third.
“I thought we’d be buying him for my father to go point-to-pointing,” said Russell, there to secure future Grade One winner Ahoy Senor for the family.
“Corach didn’t show himself off, he was leggy and had an untrusting eye. Scu said he loved him so I went along with it.”
Horse and rider have since forged an endearing bond, not without mishaps, when the ten-year-old bit Scudamore before Aintree last year.
All is forgiven when the pair stand for several minutes, breathe in fresh air and observe the scenic view on hills around Kinross. Their special routine briefly stalled last week when jockey Derek Fox, who feared a whip ban may cost him the ride, arrived for a gallop.
“A lot of people thought Corach had a hard race in the Gold Cup but Derek didn’t,” said Russell, unusually using a Grade One to put the finishing touches to his Aintree preparation.
“The proof is how he has come out of it, he needed the run and to finish third was overwhelming.
“Scu and Corach have been off doing their own thing since, they take no notice of me!
“For us the main thing is the horse comes back safely. When you stand back and take a look at it, it’s really special to be trying to win a second National.”