Corach Rambler: National hope who has already proved worth the gamble

A mid the cryptocurrencies, NFTs and assorted varieties of snake oil that flourished online during the Covid pandemic, there was a genuine, once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity just waiting to be discovered.

Corach Rambler is the favourite for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, the race that everyone in jumping dreams of winning above all others. He has already won twice at the Cheltenham Festival, this year and last, banking nearly £200,000 and priceless memories for his small group of owners. Whether or not they pick up the £500,000 first prize on Saturday, it promises to be another experience they will never forget.

And had you stopped by at Lucinda Russell’s website in late 2020 with £3,000 to spend … it could have been you. Russell, who is based near Kinross, about 30 miles north of Edinburgh, bought Corach Rambler for just £17,000 in November, sold one share back to his breeder and then put another six up for sale online.

“He was a six-year-old, and everyone wants a four- or five-year-old, but Scu [her partner Peter Scudamore, the former champion National Hunt jockey] said he’d really like to buy him,” Russell says.

I Am Maximus earned victory for Willie Mullins in the Irish Grand National on Monday, after Paul Townend produced a sensational late burst at Fairyhouse.

Defi Bleu led for much of the race was still ahead at the last, but Townend's 8-1 shot came through on the home straight to secure the jockey's first Irish National win for the jockey.

This was trainer Mullins' second victory in the Irish National, following success for Burrows Saint in 2019. The trainer was absent from Fairyhouse on Monday, having recently undergone hip surgery.

Gevrey, a 28-1 shot ridden by Brian Hayes, was a length