Corach Rambler – who was at 8/1 – has won 2023 Grand National on Saturday after the famous race at Aintree was threatened by protesters.
A total of 40 runners lined up for the world’s most famous horse race, which carries a £500,000 first prize for the winner. After the usual two laps, 30 fences and four miles and two and a half furlongs, a new chapter of Grand National history has been written.
Corach Rambler has joined past greats such as Red Rum, Tiger Roll and Hedgehunter as Grand National victors in a race that was estimated to have been watched by between 500 and 600million people across the world.
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The race almost didn’t get underway after protesters broke into the race course clashed with police and attempted to tie themselves to gates.
There had been protests throughout the day outside the racecourse, and they had been largely peaceful with signs held up pleading to “protect animals”. However, the protests then turned violent when a minority managed to break onto the racecourse at Aintree.
Police were able to regain control – and the race got underway after a 15-minute delay caused by the disturbances.
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(Image: ITV)
(Image: PA)
Coco Beach was the early pace-setter as a number of early falls marred the opening stages, causing loose horses to dominate the front-end of the field.
Mister Coffey took over the lead after the tenth jump, and it was closely tracked by Coco Beach and Mr Incredible. Last years winner Noble Yates was a long way down as the horses rounded for their second lap. Mister Coffey continued to dominate the field as they hoped the barriers.
Corach Rambler burst into the lead after the final hurdle – and he opened up a huge lead in the final stretch. It was too little too late for Vanillier with Gaillard du Mesnil third and Noble Yeats fourth. The Big Dog rounded off the top five.
(Image: PA)
(Image: Getty Images)
Winning jockey Derek Fox told ITV: “He is just a phenomenal horse. I can’t believe it. 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 second Grand National victory for jockey Derek Fox. He also won with One For Arthur in 2017. Meanwhile, Peter Scudamore – who never managed to win the Grand National as a jockey – has now done it twice in a training partnership with Lucinda Russell
Tom Scudamore, Peter’s son, said: “You don’t know what this horse means for my father. He is such a character, dad understands him, they mean so much to each other.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“He is part of the family. I know what this would mean to dad. I am just proud of my dad.”
Grand National results in full:
1 – Corach Rambler
2 – Vanillier
3 – Gaillard du Mesnil
4 – Noble Yeats
5 – The Big Dog
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