Favourite Corach Rambler wins brutal Grand National after yobs storm racecourse sparking delay and chaos

The US Sun
 
Favourite Corach Rambler wins brutal Grand National after yobs storm racecourse sparking delay and chaos

CORACH RAMBLER won a chaotic Grand National delayed 15 minutes by yobs who tried to glue themselves to the track.

The 8-1 favourite absolutely bolted up under jockey Derek Fox - as he and trainer Lucinda Russell celebrated their second win in the world's most famous race.

Russell, who lost her dad earlier this year, won the Aintree contest in 2017 with One For Arthur.

Irish jockey Fox recovered from injury just in time to ride the dual Cheltenham Festival hero - who came through a race littered with thrills and spills and at one point 'delayed indefinitely' by the idiots on the track.

Speaking immediately afterwards, Fox said: "I can't believe it. He's just a phenomenal horse.

"He's been so lucky for me. I've been blessed ever since I got my leg up on him for the first time.

"He normally gets held up a wee bit but today he jumped out and travelled everywhere.

"He's a clever horse and so intelligent, my only concern was being in front for a long time but he won so easy. He's a marvellous horse."

The race was delayed after protesters stormed the track, throwing ladders over security fences and tussling with police.

Footage showed many being led away in handcuffs after trying to glue themselves to rails on the racecourse.

But locals rushed into help cops deal with the protesters - who thankfully didn't appear to have spooked the horses with their antics.

The race, the ultimate test of jumping, saw a number of fallers - with some jockeys taking some almighty tumbles.

Vanillier was a brave second at 20-1, while the much-fancied Gaillard Du Mesnil came third at 10-1.

Last year's defending champion Noble Yeats ran on late to finish fourth at odds of 10-1.

Rachael Blackmore's horse Ain't That A Shame - the subject of a massive pre-race gamble - came last of the 17 finishers.

Sadly, Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury during the race.

Corach Rambler is owned by a syndicate known as The Ramblers.

One of them is 21-year-old student Cameron Sword.

He had already won a share of £200,000 thanks to Corach Rambler's two Cheltenham Festival wins - making his mum jealous.

But after victory at Aintree he and his fellow co-owners are a whopping £500,000 better off.

Russell said: "He just loves the fences, he just loved everything about this race.

"It's very personal this one. I'll always remember One For Arthur but this is very special.

"There are seven people in the ownership and they pay a few hundred pounds a month for the horse.

"It's just unbelievable. He's just a very, very good horse. When he jumped the last I knew he was going to win."

Sword said: "Derek rode a blinder! He was leading, he was at the front for most of that race, and we were thinking he should be a bit further back, but Derek Fox rode a blinder.

"And Corach Rambler - what a horse. I’m lost for words.

"How can people be protesting against horse racing when your protests are making these horses wait out in the sun for even longer?

"It makes no sense. They can do one - this is our sport and I love it.

"I’ll be out in Liverpool tonight!"

Grand National result

1 Corach Rambler 8-1 FAV

2 Vanillier 20-1

3 Gaillard Du Mesnil 10-1

4 Noble Yeats 10-1

5 The Big Dog 12-1

6 Born By The Sea 50-1

7 Roi Mage 33-1

8th Mister Coffey

9th A Wave Of The Sea

10th Le Milos

11th Our Power

12th Enjoy D'allen