Grand National Festival 2024 Tips - April 11-13

"Bring on the Grand National!" - Corach Rambler 6/1 after thrilling Gold Cup third

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Sat 16 Mar 2024 11:35

Jon Vine 16 Mar 2024

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Corach Rambler emerges as clear favourite for 2024 Grand National after Gold Cup performance
Trainer Lucinda Russell confident and excited for the Grand National, calls Rambler 'horse of a lifetime'

Corach Rambler (left) staying on to finish third in the Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs (right). (Getty)

Defending champion, Corach Rambler is now the clear favourite for the 2024 Grand National, following a fantastic run in the Gold Cup.

Lucinda Russell's star was the each-way pick of many shrewd judges ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs was expected to claim victory, but the rigours of that historic race suited Lucinda Russell's stable star and Corach Rambler was sent off as a general 14/1 shot.

As expected, Derek Fox's mount looked outpaced early on, as The Real Whacker set some decent early fractions. As the leader gave way turning for home, L'Homme Presse threw down the gauntlet, with Galopin Des Champs and Gerri Colombe in hot-pursuit.

With the loose Fastorslow causing havoc, Galopin Des Champs surged up the hill to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory. Gerri Colombe battled on bravely to finish second. Corach Rambler had threatened to mount a challenge at one point, but his charge from the rear flattened out later on and Russell had to settle for third.

"I'm absolutely over the moon." Russel said to the press. "I said on Tuesday we weren't going to run because of the ground. Your emotions say you don't want to run him. I just want to pat him and look after him but he's a racehorse and he loves his job. We knew the ground was safe and he's just run his socks off.

"At the top of the hill I thought he was a little bit further back than he normally would be but as he came down the hill and turned for home I thought he might be able to do it again. I'm delighted with him. To finish third in the Gold Cup is the stuff of dreams. He's the horse of a lifetime and I can't get over how much people appreciate him."

"That run has filled us with even more confidence heading to Aintree. Bar the ground being softer than ideal, it couldn't have been a better prep. We're thrilled. Bring on the Grand National!"

Having proven his quality and wellbeing in National Hunt's most prestigious race, Corach Rambler was hammered in the Grand National betting. A general 12/1 shot before the Gold Cup, Star Sports now list last year's winner as the clear 6/1 favourite.

There were a couple more Grand National market movers worth noting following the Cheltenham Festival. Meetingofthewaters had his sixth start over fences in the Ultima, thus qualfying for the National, and Willie Mullins' star was cut into 14/1 after a solid third-place finish behind Chianti Classico.

Noble Yeats was a well-beaten seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle, having been asked to make the running by Harry Cobden, but the 2022 champion of Aintree can still be backed at 16/1. Capodanno was cut from 25s into 20/1 following a staying-on fourth in the Ryanair Chase. Limerick Lace was handed fresh odds of 25/1 after beating Dinoblue in the Mares' Chase, with Shakem Up'Arry coming into 33/1 after victory in the Plate Handicap Chase.

Moving in the other direction was Nassalam, who drifted out to 33/1 after being pulled up in the Gold Cup. Monbeg Genius is now a 40/1 outsider, having failed to finish the Ultima. Glengouly, Janidil, Letsbeclearaboutit, Minella Crooner and Chambard also drifted following poor efforts at the Cheltenham Festival.

Verdict

Grand National 2024 Favourite:

Corach Rambler

2024 Grand National

@6/1 - 15 Units

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