Horse racing remains a popular sport across the UK and has some truly iconic festivals, events and meets to enjoy. The Grand National Festival held at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool is a great example of this and always attracts huge crowds to the course.
It is also an annual spectacle in UK racing that draws a massive audience of people watching at home on TV or online. Although there are plenty of top races to take in over the festival, it is the legendary Grand National itself thatgrabs the most attention. This can be seen in the number of people who get involved with Grand National betting each year and how popular it is trying to predict who will finish first in the race. There is no doubt that having a flutter on this race is embedded into the nation’s psyche and there is no reason to expect 2024 to be any different.
One horse that many punters will be keeping an eye on is defending champion Corach Rambler. The build-up to the race has also seen the horse’s trainer, Lucinda Russell, eagerly anticipating more success.
Lucinda Russell looking for third National win
Lucinda Russell is a top UK trainer and is someone who knows what it takes to win the Grand National. This saw her train not only 2017’s winner in One For Arthur but also 2023’s winner, Corach Rambler. As a result, Russell is a two-time National winner – but she is eager to add to her twin triumphs in 2024’s race.
Recent comments from the trainer saw her confirming just how addictive winning the National is and how she is not yet ready to stop at two wins. Russell’s comments also confirmed that Corach Rambler’s training for the race is progressing nicely and he is looking in good shape to perform well.
2024 Gold Cup showing could point the way
Before Corach Rambler heads back to Aintree to defend his Grand National crown, he first has the prestigious Gold Cup to compete in at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. This race always makes the latest sports news and could provide a good indication of whether Corach Rambler might make Russell’s Aintree dream a reality.
The trainer herself has been quick to admit that many might find an entry into the Gold Cup a little strange for Corach Rambler, with the Grand National not long after that. Any injuries picked up at Cheltenham could end their Aintree hopes, while a poor showing could dent vital confidence coming into the race. The trainer, though, confirmed that her horse is a stayer who loves it around Cheltenham and this means they are happy to take this chance leading up to Aintree.
To add further credence to this, the horse’s assistant trainer, Peter Scudamore, was keen to point out that other horses (such as Rough Quest and Miinnehoma) havecompeted in the Gold Cup previously and then gone on to race in the Grand National. It is also key to note that Corach Rambler’s National win in 2023 was preceded by an Ultima win at Cheltenham, which can only be a good omen.
Could weight hike spell trouble for Russell’s dream?
The recent media comments from Lucinda Russell clearly show she is not only eager to add to her two National wins but also confident that Corach Rambler can do this for her. One issue that might muddy the waters a little is the hike in weight that the horse has been given. This has seen him allotted 11st 2lbs for the race in April.
Russell, though, seemed unconcerned with this rise and instead expressed how satisfied she was with it. Although this might sound a little strange, it is more understandable when you put it into the context of the race itself. Seven of the last 14 race winners have carried over 11st and this means that Corach Rambler should not be discounted on weight alone. These stats actually give extra confidence that he could do well and this is something that Lucinda Russell is keen to tap into.
Corach Rambler could do it for Lucinda Russell
Anyone who knows horse racing knows that winning the Grand National twice is a massive achievement. Lucinda Russell, however, seems eager to push on from this and grab a stunning third win. This would see her match Gordon Elliott’s three wins at this race, before setting her up to go after four-time winners Ginger McCain, Fred Rimell and George Dockeray. With the horse apparently looking goodand having a real love for the Aintree track, it would be no surprise to see this happen.
