Pre-race favourite Corach Rambler has won the 2023 Grand National with a superb ride from jockey Derek Fox, who has now won two Grand Nationals. Lucinda Russell’s horse travelled so well throughout and cruised to the front of the field with five furlongs to go.
Having hit the front he powered to a five length lead but then appeared to raise his head and lose his focus as Vanillier chased him down but he had enough in the tank to hold off the quickening grey.
“He is just a phenomenal horse. I can't believe it,” the winning jockey said after the race. “He normally gets his head up a wee bit but today he travelled everywhere. He is the cleverest horse. He is so intelligent."
It was a fantastic finish for Corach Rambler who also won a Cheltenham this year, but the race took place under a cloud of uncertainty. The start to the Grand National was delayed as several protesters broke onto the track, having got over one of the fences over the far side of the racecourse.
The race was scheduled to get underway at 5.15pm but instead there was a 15 minute delay as police worked hard to get protesters off the course, some of whom had attached themselves to the fences.
Eventually though, the race did get underway and it was the pre-race favourite who won the big prize.
Result
1 Corach Rambler (D R Fox) 8-1 Fav
2 Vanillier (S W Flanagan) 20-1
3 Gaillard Du Mesnil (P Townend) 10-1
4 Noble Yeats (S Bowen) 10-1
