The 2023 Grand National lived up to the hype and was another highly intense spectacle in the race’s rich history. Corach Rambler bided its time and mounted a late charge to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths. This was the second win for jockey Derek Fox, who also ended the 2017 Grand National as the victor with One For Arthur.
Corach Rambler won the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2022 and 2023, but this is the best result of its career to date. This triumph marked only the third time a Scottish-trained horse has won the Aintree race, with it being a second win for trainer Lucinda Russell.
Intense Grand National Capped by Corach Rambler’s Stunning Final Push
Corach Rambler recently tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival and went into the Grand National as the heavy favorite. According to 2023 Grand National Odds, the eventual winner could have been backed at 20-1 on the 6th of April. However, going into the race on the day, bookmakers were offering odds closer to 8-1. By claiming victory in the race, Corach Rambler joined a select club of favorites who have won the Grand National. In the competition’s history, only ten clear favorites and four joint-favorites have gone on to win the race.
As usual, it was a thrilling race for spectators, with many of the favorites holding back until embarking on a late surge after the final fence. Mister Coffey had led the way for most of the event, but he faded at the last and ultimately finished in eighth place. Corach Rambler took the lead over the final fence after some solid jumping throughout. He then pulled away upon passing the elbow to win with some significant breathing space before Vanillier, who finished second.
Second Grand National Win for Lucinda Russell
This was the second Grand National win for both Fox and Russell, who had won before in 2017 with One for Arthur. Russell said that Corach Rambler’s win was testament to the horse’s talent. She also made a point of expressing how she and her team cherish their horses and take great care of them.
It was also an impressive second victory for Fox, who had to overcome an injury to be passed fit to participate. Indeed, the 2017 winning jockey was close to missing out on the race due to a dislocated shoulder. Ten days before the Grand National, he fell off his horse at Wetherby and Brian Hughes was set to take his place on Corach Rambler. Determined to play a part in proceedings, Fox was doing press-ups on the morning of the race to convince Russell and healthcare professionals that he was fit to ride.
Fox still has a long way to go if he wants to go down as one of the most successful jockeys in Grand National history. George Stevens holds the record of five wins in the 1800s. Some other jockeys to have won the race on numerous occasions include Ruby Walsh, Leighton Aspell, and Davy Russell.
Russell also has to earn a few more wins if she wants to join the top trainers in Grand National history. Three trainers have won four times in the esteemed competition. Ginger McCain is the most famous for raising Red Rum, who won the race in 1973, 1974, and 1977. He then experienced triumph again in 2004 with Amberleigh House. The other names to have achieved this feat are Fred Rimell and George Dockeray.
Which Horses Came Close to Winning?
Before the Grand National got started, there were numerous horses who could be backed at similar prices. Corach Rambler was the standout favorite, but there were others that bookmakers thought had a great chance of winning. One of the best-known runners was Noble Yeats, the victor from last year’s race. When the thoroughbred racehorse won, he was a 50-1 outsider. He defied expectations and became the first seven-year-old to win since Bogskar in 1940. Noble Yeats put in a respectable showing this year as well and finished in fourth place.
Vanillier started the race at 20-1 and finished in second, while Gaillard Du Mesnil ended in third place after starting the day at odds of 10-1. There weren’t many shocks in the first ten to finish, with Born By The Sea and A Wave Of The Sea having the longest odds at 50-1 and 66-1 respectively. There were 22 non-finishers in the race this year, which is around the average for the competition.
As usual, the Grand National was a monumental sporting event, and one watched by millions all over the world. It’s great for British expats abroad to get involved as well, which is possible now thanks to online betting sites. In the future, there may even be VR options that allow people to attend the event from afar.
