He was one of the standout performers of last season’s jump racing season, and Corach Rambler is set for another big year with the Cheltenham Gold Cup a possible target for the Lucinda Russell-trained superstar.
Last year’s spectacular Grand National winner has been maturing like a fine wine in the racing world, and the big bay may now be ready to take on defending champion, Galopin Des Champs, in the Cheltenham Festival highlight in March.
You can’t forget the dogs’ roles in all of this 🤣
The whole team out on track as CORACH RAMBLER takes it all in after winning the @RandoxHealth Grand National 🤩#RandoxGrandNational pic.twitter.com/oBshk3lr9N
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 15, 2023
A Big Decision For The Owners
It is a certainty that Corach Rambler will be back at Aintree to defend his Grand National title in the season ahead, but his lucky owners – simply named ‘The Ramblers’, now have the enviable decision of whether to take in the Gold Cup beforehand.
It is a decision that every racehorse owner would like to face, and the magnitude of the dilemma won’t be lost on the eclectic racehorse ownership mix that is The Ramblers. A brilliant example of the joys and potential success of a racing syndicate, The Ramblers include people from Scotland, Ireland, and as far away as Australia. Syndicates like RaceShare make owning shares of horses more accessible than ever. While watching the racing is entertaining, but nothing beats seeing a horse that you’re invested in romping to victory on the track.
Bought for what is now a bargain £17,000, Corach Rambler is a poster boy for racing syndicates, bringing his owners to places they never would have dreamed of, all the while giving them insights into the inner workings of the racing industry itself.
With two Cheltenham Festival wins and that famous Grand National victory to his name, Corach Rambler is now one of the biggest names in the sport, and if a Gold Cup win was to be added to his CV, he will be well on his way to legendary status.
Grand National Glory
One of the most well-fancied Grand National favourites in recent times, Corach Rambler was sent off at a price of 8/1 last year for Lucinda Russell and regular jockey, Derek Fox. The Aintree showpiece had been the long-term target ever since he arrived from Ireland, and after a couple of years of maturing, he was finally ready to tackle the marathon 4-mile trip of the world-famous race.
The son of Jeremy had laid down his credentials for a Grand National tilt the previous month at the Cheltenham Festival, surprising many by defending the Ultima Handicap Chase crown he had won 12 months previously.
It was a terrific performance under a big weight, and it was the perfect warm-up for his first trip to Aintree. With 2022 winner, Noble Yeats, also in the field, Corach Rambler was far from a sure thing, but his staying power and jumping ability was never in doubt. As it had been throughout his career to date, Corach Rambler’s biggest danger was always himself.
As quirky as they come, and with a tendency for misbehaving, the talented 9yo had shown plenty of reasons to be fearful for supporters in the past, but, in the main, his behaviour and performance were impeccable as he cantered to a relatively easy Grand National win under a brilliant ride from Fox.
Corach Rambler – Ultima Handicap Chase 2023#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/qedBjrObmp
— Cheltenham Festival Fans (@cheltfestfans) June 29, 2023
The Grand National is a race that Corach Rambler was made for, but his attributes could also be considered ideal for the stamina and jumping tests that a Cheltenham Gold Cup has to offer. A defence of his National title is well within his reach, and if he were to tackle the big one at Cheltenham, he could prove to be a tough nut to cracSyndicate.
