Corach Rambler Odds and Grand National Form 2024

A relatively cheap (£17,000) purchase after winning an ordinary Maiden point to point in Ireland, Corach Rambler wasted no time in underlining what a value purchase he was by winning his first race over hurdles for his new connections at 14/1. That victory was an indicator of what a good horse Lucinda Russell had on her hands and so it has proved. 

Corach Rambler managed to win the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival when still a novice and followed-up in the same race the following season. After that second Cheltenham Festival win all eyes turned to a tilt at the Grand National.

Victory at Cheltenham meant that Corach Rambler was a whopping ten pounds ahead of the handicapper at Aintree and punters latched onto the gelding’s obvious chance, making him the 8/1 favourite for the big race. The amount Corach Rambler had in hand of the handicapper was evident from an early stage as he could be seen going ominously well throughout most of the race. Derek Fox eventually took up the running going toward the last fence and the horse immediately went clear. He idled on the run-in and that, combined with Vanillier making a fast finish, meant he only won by just over two lengths but he looked value for a good bit more than that. 

For this season, Lucinda Russell gave the horse a couple of outings before Xmas with the idea to try the gelding’s luck in the Gold Cup. Corach Rambler ran a great race at Cheltenham to finish third, thirteen lengths behind Gallopin Des Champs.

The main target though has always been a repeat visit to the Grand National. Corach Rambler has to carry thirteen pounds more than last year but that might not be enough to stop the ten-year-old becoming the first horse since Tiger Roll to retain the Aintree Grand National.

As well as the considerable amount of extra weight, another concern would be how hard a race did Corach Rambler have in the Gold Cup? That race is notorious for taking its toll on some runners and, with that in mind, Corach Rambler looks a short enough price to retain his crown.