Last year’s Grand National winner and the pride of Scotland, Corach Rambler, was surprisingly disappointing as he made his return to action at Kelso. Trained by Kinross trainer, Lucinda Russell, Corach Rambler was having his first start since his Aintree heroics, but he would ultimately tail in fifth of six runners in the 3 mile 2 furlong Chase.
It was a hugely underwhelming return for the two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, and it brings into question his well-being for what is going to be a big season for the striking bay horse.
Disappointment For The Ramblers
Lucinda Russell, jockey Derek Fox, and all of Corach Rambler’s fans will have been in shock to see such a poor performance, but one group of people who would have felt it more than most is his collection of owners, ‘The Ramblers’ syndicate.
One of last year’s best advertisements for the joy it brings to own a racehorse, the sight of the exuberant mix of Scottish and Irish race-goers celebrating in the Aintree parade ring will live long in the memory of all racing fans.
The syndicate had enjoyed an amazing few years since becoming the owners of the big horse with the white face, enjoying the excitement of Cheltenham Festival wins and a Grand National triumph. At Kelso, however, they would experience another side to the racing world, watching on as their hero looked a shadow of himself around Kelso.
We mic’d up Corach Rambler’s owners and documented their experience from start to finish
This is what the @RandoxHealth Grand National is all about #RandoxGrandNational pic.twitter.com/gnwbv0u94f
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 16, 2023
What Now For Corach Rambler?
One thing that will slightly allay the fears of the connections of Corach Rambler is the fact that he always seems to take a little bit of time to reach full fitness. For the past two seasons, he has failed to win on his reappearance, before going on to enjoy huge successes in the aftermath.
Two years ago he was beaten at Perth before going on to win at Cheltenham, and last year he was well beaten in his first two starts before another Cheltenham Festival win and his famous Grand National triumph.
As it stands, Corach Rambler has been earmarked for a run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock by Lucinda Russell, but given his performance at Kelso, he could be more likely to swerve that and head to Newbury for the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at the start of December.
A Grand National defence is the ultimate goal for the season ahead, and given his extraordinary performance at Aintree last season, not many would bet against him joining Tiger Roll and Red Rum as a back-to-back winner of the great race.
After two consecutive Cheltenham Festival wins in the Ultima Handicap Chase, Prestbury Park in March is also likely to be on the agenda for Corach Rambler, but this time there is the tantalizing thought that he may take on the best three-mile chasers in the sport in the coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It would be another special achievement were he to win the blue riband of jump racing, and it would elevate him to the status of one of the best horses that the industry has ever seen.
That would be the ultimate dream come true for Russell and The Ramblers, but he will first have to prove that his performance at Kelso was a mere blot on his copybook.