Grand National 2024: Corach Rambler
Saturday, 13th April, 2024.
4PM Aintree, Liverpool.
The Greatest Steeplechase in the World.
The question on the lips of every horse racing fan: ‘Will Corach Rambler win the 2024 Grand National?
Lucinda Russell’s bay gelding, a son of Jeremy, out of a mare called Heart N Hope, showed just that when trouncing his rivals in last year’s race. Aintree has seen its share of gallant winners but there was a real sparkle about that performance. Derek Fox must have been counting his percentage of the mighty £561,300 winnings.
With a £1,000,000 total prize fund there’s plenty to go round.
The Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap). Racing over 4m 2 1/2f, 30 fences and a total prize pot of £1M. No wonder the biggest names in racing: owners, trainers and jockeys are battling for triumph. A bustling crowd heading to the course to watch history in the making.
Corach Rambler, racing in the familiar silks of The Ramblers, tried their luck at Cheltenham when their 10-year-old finished third in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1). Although beaten 13-lengths, the £67,354.17 added to a healthy total prize earnings of £776,459. To be placed in the Gold Cup could be viewed as a positive for a second National victory.
However, the record of Gold Cup placed horses heading to the Grand National isn’t as sparkling as it might seem. In fact, from 16 runners there has been just one winner in the last 40-years – Rough Quest (1996).
How will Corach Rambler cope with the going? Heavy! No hiding place.
Also, he has to shoulder an extra 14lb with a weight of 11-5 (compared to last year’s victory at 10-5).
With animal welfare concerns, the maximum size of the race has been adjusted to 34 from 40 which should make for a better and safer race.
At the time of writing, Corach Rambler is priced 11/2 favourite with bookmakers. There seems little value in betting at those odds. However, we will only know the answer to that question come the finishing line.
In many ways, this year’s Grand National is a turning point. The traditional time has been moved to 4PM. The number of runner reduced and an added emphasis on animal welfare is a positive. The idea is reducing the speed of horses may seem ironic with this race taking place in testing conditions. A few races of old have seen a small number finish. Mud splattered jockeys. Who can forget Red Marauder winning by a distance on heavy ground at odds of 33/1. A field of 40 horses and only four finished each a distance apart.
Corach Rambler has stiff opposition from a number of fancied horses including those owned by J P McManus. I Am Maximus & Meetingofthewaters, trained by Willie Mullins, are priced at single-figure odds and sure to have their supporters. In fact, Mullins heads to Aintree with a strong hand considering Mr Incredible is a 12/1 shot.
Derek Fox will be pleased that the delaying of a potential whip ban means he is free to ride Corach Rambler. Saturday will see a good battle of 34 horses looking to make the headlines. If he wins two on the bounce, then next year’s race will be something to savour.
The Grand National is one of the most popular races in the world. The gambling industry and horse racing world have seen much turmoil over the last few years and perhaps this race will be a turning point for better times to come.