Anticipation hits fever pitch as Kinross-shire champion Corach Rambler prepares to defend Grand National crown

Anticipation is reaching fever pitch as Corach Rambler prepares to defend his Grand National crown tomorrow.

The 10-year-old Milnathort champion is the red-hot favourite to reclaim the famous trophy he won at Aintree in 2023.

If victorious, Corach Rambler, trained at Lucinda Russell’s Arlary House Stables, will be only the second back-to-back winner of the world’s greatest steeplechase since Red Rum in 1974.

Proud Russell, who also won at the world-famous course with One For Arthur back in 2017, is seeking a hat-trick of triumphs.

“We’re really pleased with Corach Rambler ahead of the Grand National,” she said as William Hill ambassador.

“He’s been absolutely perfect since Cheltenham. My only worry is the weather.

“We wouldn’t want the ground too soft for him and the drier the ground the better, so we’re anxiously watching the weather!”

Two-time Grand National winner, Derek Fox, has high hopes for last year’s champion after he finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Rambler’s rider Fox is the most successful jockey in this year’s £1 million showpiece, having been top of the podium in both 2017 and 2023.

“It’s very exciting to be going into it with a horse that’s 5/1 favourite,” said Fox (31) to Mirror Racing.

“I think he’s very deserving of the price and he’s had great preparation.

“Although he hasn’t won a race this year, he’s been aiming very high.

“Just watching him riding out in the mornings, I rode him in a few bits of work myself, and he feels great.

“I couldn’t expect his preparation to go any better, which is a rare thing to say but to this point he hasn’t had a single hold-up.

“That’s a big plus.”

Since winning at Aintree 12 months ago Corach Rambler has moved into Grade One company, finishing third in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November before coming home in the same position behind dual winner Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham last month.

Corach Rambler has seven owners, one of whom is Cameron Sword (22) who last year became the youngest ever winning owner of the Aintree feature.

Sword paid £3,400 for a share, as part of the Ramblers syndicate, and took over £80,000 back to his university digs last April.

“All my mates have been asking what chance we have, but when I look at the field I wouldn’t swap him,” he told the Racing Post.

“There’s pressure having a short-priced favourite for the Grand National, but it’s a massive privilege and he deserves to be the favourite.”