EXCLUSIVE Interview with Derek Fox

William Hill caught up with double Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox on Corach Rambler’s Gold Cup claims and also his two other big rides at the Cheltenham Festival this year. Derek also relives his two Grand National wins and hopes that a third win in the race is possible this year.

Derek Fox on Corach Rambler’s Gold Cup ambitions.

orach Rambler has been a brilliant horse for me so far and at this years Cheltenham Festival he will be prepared to go for a tilt at the Gold Cup. His last run at Haydock was satisfactory and he is fit and well and I am looking forward to riding him next Friday at the Gold Cup. He has won three times at Cheltenham, so knows the track well, and although this is a step up with some quality horses including Galopin Des Champs, Corach Rambler is improving at the right time and I’m excited to see him line up for the Gold Cup.

Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore took the decision to go for the Gold Cup this year rather than go for a hattrick of Ultima handicap chase’s and I agree with this decision. I believe he will be better than the Haydock run last time out, and he can run a big race.
It’s going to be a tough race, but Corach Rambler usually does enough at the finish and if there is a good gallop on, then I expect him to finish fast and if there is any horse weakening and not finishing their race then you don’t want to see Corach Rambler coming up the Cheltenham hill as he loves it around Cheltenham.
The three wins at Cheltenham include a novice chase and then twice at the festival so he knows the track well.
So, if Corach Rambler is in contention coming up the hill and going down the straight, then he could run a massive race. It’s really exciting now leading up to the festival and a great position to be in.

Derek Fox on Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor

I think he should run in the Ryan Air chase as this race is likely to be more suited than the Gold Cup. He has had a slow start to the season but has seen improvement with his recent runs so let’s hoping he can run a good race at Cheltenham.
If won’t be my decision, but my preference would be for the Ryan Air chase. He travels so well and this trip should really suit him. I ride him out when at Lucinda Russell’s and this time of year he thrives, so the drop back in trip will suit him well and I’m also encouraged to ride this horse a the Festival.

Derek Fox on Apple Away

I believe the Ultima would be the best race, but we may need to wait to see if she gets in. If now the Brown Advisory would be the next best option.
Last time at Ascot I was happy with her, she’s a special mare. She jumps well, is a strong stayer and given I have won the Ultima with Corach Rambler, I know what type of horse is needed to come up the hill and win. A strong pace will suit and she’s a tough horse, so the hustle and bustle of the race can work.
Derek Fox on The Cheltenham Festival

I am very lucky to have some great rides at Cheltenham this year. All three horses mentioned above are classy horses and come into Cheltenham in good form and I’m excited for the festival next week. It promises to be another great setting where the best horses meet, and although Constitution Hill will not be defending The Champion

Hurdle, there are plenty of other special horses who will make their name with big race wins. It’s always a great spectacle and this year will be no different.
If there was one horse I would like to ride next week, then it would have to be State Man. It’s a shame we won’t see the battle between Constitution Hill and State Man in The Champion Hurdle this week, so I expect State Man to put in a master class in the race.

Derek Fox on Corach Rambler defending his Grand National title

I am happy with the weight he got for this year’s renewal of the Grand National. Last year he quickened away, and, in my view, I wasn’t going to get beat once ahead. Looking ahead to this year’s race, it’s about having some luck in running and he can be a great ride again. He’s going same route as last year, so should be ready for the day and am excited to try and defend the Grand National in what would be an amazing achievement.

Derek Fox on his Grand National wins on One for Arthur and Corach Rambler

One for Arthur was special for me. It was a huge day, one I will never forget. The horse was so determined and galloped so well. He loved to go long at the fences and kept jumping well. He always had more in the tank and delivered for me in a big way. The race paned out so well for me that day and it’s one I will cherish.
Last year’s win on Corach Rambler was also special. He travelled so well and I rode the race to suit him and he responded well. He settled in well and is such an accurate jumper. The race just worked out perfectly and as I popped over the final fence there was no one going to stop him landing the race.

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