Fantastic Mr Fox
‘Very cool’ jockey returns from injury in nick of time to seal memorable win and draw praise from Scottish trainer
ONE For Arthur stayed on best of them all to give Scotland only its second ever winner in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.
Despite jumping into Blaklion at the second-last fence, the 14-1 shot was spring-heeled at the final obstacle of the extended four-anda-quarter-mile test.
Responding to everything asked of him by Derek Fox, the Lucinda Russell-trained runner galloped on resolutely to keep Cause Of Causes at bay and clinch the world’s greatest steeplechase, emulating Rubstic in 1979.
Fox, who only returned to action from injury earlier in the week, said: “It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it. He just jumped so well, even though he was a long way back. He never missed a fence, within reason. He was unbelievable.
“I was lucky to get back in time – I want to thank Jack Berry House. Without them I wouldn’t have got back in time and I wouldn’t have been as fit as I am.”
Russell, whose partner and assistant is former champion jockey Peter Scudamore, said: “What a day! We have a fantastic team behind us and I’m just so pleased. He’s amazing. He’s improved very time. I kept thinking barring accidents, he would win the National and he has! Together [Peter and I] we have had good and bad times but the horses are all back in form now. It’s out of this world.”
Russell, who has already tasted Cheltenham Festival glory with Brindisi Breeze, now joins an elite list of female National-winning trainers along with Jenny Pitman (twice), Venetia Williams and Sue Smith. She paid particular tribute to Fox in her post-race assessment. “When Derek got injured we lost a big part of our yard because we’re all a team, we really missed him,” she said. “There was never a doubt he wouldn’t ride the horse as long as he was fit enough. “He’s very cool, he’s only 24 but he has all the right attributes. Sometimes he gets criticised for being too far back but that’s how he likes to ride them. “He [One For Arthur] won’t run again this season, I’m hoping Kelso will put an open handicap on in October then it will be the Becher and back to Warwick I’d imagine.”
One For Arthur is owned by the Two Golf Widows, aka Deborah Thomson and Belinda McClung, and they were left in disbelief after watching their horse triumph by four and a half lengths.
Thomson said: “I just can’t believe it. It’s been an absolutely amazing day. Arthur just cruised that race, Derek rode so well and I’m just a bit lost for words really. I just can’t believe we’ve won the Grand National – it’s fantastic. He’s given us a fantastic journey.”
McClung added: “I thought this morning, it’s baking hot so there’s no pressure now, he’s not going to win on that ground.”
Fox, who took over as stable jockey at Russell’s Kinross yard following the retirement of Peter Buchanan, had been in the saddle for One For Arthur’s other two wins this season, with the pair impressing in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January. But the young rider had been sidelined by injury since suffering a fall at Carlisle on March 9, before successfully winning his race against time to be fit for Aintree.
Reflecting further on his success, he said: “The only concern I had was that he might be a bit slow for the first mile and might end up too far back. It’s tricky to win a National from far back, but he jumped so well.
“After he went one circuit I felt I couldn’t be going as well as I was because I was close enough to the leaders. I kept him wide as he was making two or three lengths at every fence. I was getting closer and closer and I thought I was maybe going to get there too soon. For a brief moment I took a pull. I couldn’t resist it.
“He’s the gamest horse I’ve ever ridden and he galloped all the way to the line. Thanks to Lucinda and Scu for keeping me on him. I hadn’t had many rides back. It’s unbelievable. It’s a better feeling than I thought it would be. I was so determined to get back. I’ve had a great partnership with the horse all year.”
Jamie Codd, rider of the Gordon Elliott-trained Cause Of Causes, who finished second said: “I thought I had half a chance at the back of the last, but the winner has won quite well on the day. My horse has galloped all the way to the line. He’s an incredible horse. I’m disappointed I didn’t win, but he’s run a great race.”
Saint Are was placed in the race again for Tom George in third, with Blaklion, who appeared to be going great guns before tiring, fourth and Gas Line Boy fifth.