Lucinda will be hoping for less-adventurous success
Corach Rambler’s winding route to Cheltenham glory back in March was a sight to behold.
Weaving his way through a huge field under Derek Fox with daring and cunning, Lucinda Russell’s charge was a sensational last-tofirst Ultima Handicap winner.
The Kinross trainer can’t promise repeat thrills at Newbury next Saturday and her heart may be grateful of a more straightforward passage.
However, the eight-year-old is once again a serious contender on the big stage – this time for Britain’s second-richest handicap chase.
In Corach Rambler, Scotland boasts the 6/1 favourite for the £250,000 Coral Gold Cup.
“It’s not the plan to be at the back,” said Russell. “What happened at Cheltenham was remarkable. As a novice he jumped the first fence a bit big.
“He ended up well behind but Derek didn’t panic and jus relaxed. Only when he went down the hill did he make his move and go past the whole field on this snakelike trip.
“Corach loves squeezing through horses because he’s quite intelligent and that dodging around keeps him thinking.
“We will jump him off handy at Newbury. But, if they go too quick, it doesn’t matter so much because we can let Derek take his time with him.”
Corach Rambler arrived at Russell and Peter Scudamore’s regime shortly after the first lockdown in 2020.
Russell recalls a nervous, untrusting type who has blossomed into a confident favourite around the stable.
A seven-strong syndicate The
amblers, assembled from owners old and new to the yard, watched him improve on the track throughout last season.
Russell said: “It’s not as if he’s owned by one fantastically-rich person, he’s owned by real racing enthusiasts.
“They’re incredulous that they’ve got themselves such a good horse. There’s a great frisson of excitement. They all get on well together.
“Corach was very anxious when he came to us. He wasn’t sure and felt people were out to trick him.
“He’s different now, he’s very self-obsessed but loves his racing. And he’s actually started to like people, which is a good thing!
“Scu rides him all the time at home. I think that helps, as he gets that confidence and assurance from him.”
Corach Rambler faces strong opposition from powerhouse yards in Threeunderthrufive (Paul Nicholls), Chantry House (Nicky
Henderson) and Fiddlerontheroof (Joe Tizzard) among others.
“This is always a quality and prestigious handicap,” noted Russell. “The other very valuable one is, of course, the Grand National – and that would be on our minds depending on how he gets on.
“It’s not going to be easy for him but he’ll be suited to the big field and his run over an inadequate trip last time at Carlisle was perfectly satisfactory. Hopefully it will be on the soft side for him.”