Corach Rambler is considered one of the leading contenders for the 2023 Grand National this year, and he enhanced his claims for the world’s most successful steeplechase with victory in the 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase.
It was the second consecutive year that the chaser had come out on top in the opening handicap race of the Cheltenham Festival. He showcased his stamina, staying on better than any of his rivals in the 3m1f contest to score by a neck ahead of Fastorslow.
Under the hands of Derek Fox, the Grand National contender traveled strongly throughout the race at Prestbury Park. Fox timed his run to the front of the field perfectly. He also ensured his horse had the rail to keep his horse on a straight path up the hill.
With his success in the day one contest at Cheltenham, Corach Rambler became just the fourth horse in history to win the race more than once. It was a big improvement on his previous two appearances earlier in the season.
Russell’s Runner is Now the Favorite to Prevail at Aintree
Lucinda Russell’s chaser is now the +700 favorite in the betting to win the Grand National at Aintree. He has been handed a weight allocation of 10st 5lb for the race in Liverpool, and although his handicap mark will rise following his success at Cheltenham, his weight will not go up.
Racing tipsters will now be considering the form from the Cheltenham Festival to see if they can get some clues about Aintree. Grand National tipsters at Sports Betting Portfolio have a great record of producing big-priced winners of the race. At the end of January 2023, they had accumulated a profit of £1541.09 for their members since they launched in May 2019. Corach Rambler will be one of the horses they study to see if he is the right favorite for the race in their eyes.
Only one favorite in the last 11 renewals of the Grand National has been successful in the Aintree feature. Tiger Roll went off as the +400 market leader in 2019 when he prevailed in the race for the second straight year.
Challengers To Corach Rambler Include Last Year’s Winner
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Last year’s winner Noble Yeats and other market leaders Any Second Now, Corach Rambler and Iwilldoit head 85 entries for the Randox Grand National on April 15, down from 107 at this stage last year Weights for the big race will be published on February 21
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Noble Yeats added his name to the roll of honor in the Grand National when he came out on top for Irish trainer Emmet Mullins. The eight-year-old is set to return this year as he looks to replicate what both Red Rum and Tiger Roll have achieved in the last 50 years by winning the contest twice.
The Irish chaser has shown some good form this season, as he has scored at Wexford (Listed race) and Aintree (Grade Two contest). He will need to carry 15lb more on his back this year, but he is now rated as high as 167 in the official ratings.
Gaillard Du Mesnil is another horse that will be making the trip across from Ireland. The seven-year-old will be of the youngest horses in the Grand National field in 2023. He was the winner of the Grade One Neville Hotels Novice Chase earlier this year.
The 2023 Grand National takes place on April 15 and it will be the 175th renewal in history.
Photo: JTW Equine Images, Past the Wire
