Life was at a low ebb... now it’s Grade One
How Corach Rambler opened starting gates for Keith’s big adventure
Keith Garwood remembers the early call to top trainer Lucinda Russell on a January morning two years ago.
The Comrie resident admitted his life was at a bit of a low ebb and he was interested in becoming a racehorse owner.
There was no real selection process or set criteria for him and he “completely randomly” decided to give his backing to a horse by the name of Corach Rambler.
And this week Corach Rambler enters Saturday’s 175th Grand National at Aintree as favourite and Keith (60) is very much living the dream.
Speaking from Arlary House stables in Milnathort – where Lucinda and the team are based – Keith said: “I’m a south London boy who has ended up in Comrie. I’ve been up here since 2014.
“We all met through the Ramblers syndicate. We didn’t know each other before then.
“For me, one morning back in January 2021, I called Lucinda. We went through various options and completely randomly I chose Corach Rambler.
“My life was at a bit of a low ebb. My wife, Sue, died in late 2020. I just felt it was time to get out again and start meeting people and go racing.
“I was thinking it would be Hexham and Kelso, not Cheltenham and Aintree!”
Keith still fondly recalls the first steps of this adventure.
He said: “During Covid, obviously we couldn’t actually get into a racecourse to watch him.
“I can remember watching a race at Carlisle through a chain link fence at the edge of the course.
“Musselburgh was another one. So we didn’t actually get into a racecourse during his novice hurdling year.
“He won a couple of races in the autumn of 2021 and Lucinda told us we were going for the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival.
“I was like ‘ is that same Cheltenham Festival we watch on the TV every year?’
“The whole thing was becoming such an unbelievable, lifeenhancing experience. It’s been an incredible journey.”
Corach Rambler’s stock has been rising and, after his second successive win in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, he heads to Aintree as the one to beat.
Keith said: “We weren’t even thinking about the Grand National until earlier this year.
“None of us could have dreamt we’d even be going to Aintree, let alone as the favourite for the race. We can genuinely say we’re living the dream.
“He’s going with a favourite’s chance and if he gets round he’ll be near the front.”
Sharing the experience with six others in the syndicate – Cameron Sword, Gary Scott, Ally Wood, Paul Hillis, Bill Wallace and Thomas Kendall – has made the journey extra special.
Keith explained: “The Ramblers have been like another family.
“It’s a great bunch, with such a