Fox wins the chase after animal rights protesters take action at Grand National

This was a day when the drama and dangers of the world’s most famous steeplechase appeared to purr in perfect synchronicity. Anyone whose love affair with the Grand National lingers would have found much to marvel in the stillness of Derek Fox’s riding as mayhem unfolded all around him – before sending 8-1 favourite Corach Rambler into glory. Yet the hundreds of animal rights protestors who tried to sabotage the race would also have felt justified in their actions after two horses died on the day, including Hill Sixteen after an horrific fall on the first fence.

Perhaps, though, there might be a broad consensus on this undeniable fact: the 175th National had pretty much everything: sorrow, suffering, glory, pain.

And happiness too. It was there in trainer Lucinda Russell’s eyes after her second National victory following One For Arthur in 2017. Russell has lost her father and seen One For Arthur pass in recent months, and afterwards she admitted to spreading some of the horse’s ashes at the Aintree finishing line.

It was there, too, in the disarming smiles of 30-year-old Fox, who had been a doubt for this race after injuring his shoulder at Weatherby just over a week ago. Not that you would have known it given the steady way he nursed Corach Rambler around, just behind the long-time leader Mr Coffey before striking for home just after the last.

“He has his own running style, and today he wanted to go with it,” said Fox. “He always felt like he was enjoying himself so I wasn’t worried. He is just a remarkable horse. He shortens up, he goes long, he is everything you want from a national horse. He’s just brilliant.”

There was also joy from the small syndicate of seven race-lovers who had been handsomely rewarded for their