Lucinda Russell’s William Hill blog: Corach Rambler in form of his life

Corach Rambler had a pre-race canter on Friday morning and everything went really well, so it’s all systems go. I’m really pleased with him and while his price is quite short, I think it’s short for a reason and I think he’s the one to beat.

If you compare him to 12 months ago, I actually think he’s a bit harder and fitter this time around. He really trimmed up and I’ve noticed how focussed he seems. He’s a bit like a prize fighter and I couldn’t be happier with him and where we have him.

The Gold Cup run went exactly as we hoped it would. I didn’t want to call it a prep run but that’s basically how we saw it and it’s left him spot on for the National. We all know how hard it is to win, and luck is a big factor, but he’s in great nick and I’d say he’s in the form of his life.

I walked the course on Friday and it doesn’t walk as soft as we thought which is great because he doesn’t want it too deep. I don’t think a very heavy ground National would be ideal so hopefully it continues to dry out. As I said, it doesn’t walk too badly so there won’t be any excuses with regards to the ground.

I know people say horses are special and all horses are in their own right, but Corach is genuinely the most amazing and unique horse I’ve ever been involved with. He’s so intelligent and picks up on your emotions and your body language and he reacts accordingly. I think his intelligence is one of the major reasons why he ran so well in the race last year because he figured out the fences so quickly.

He’s also got immense ability and you can’t help loving horses like that.

I don’t want to look too far ahead, but if he did win it then I’m not sure what I’d do, to be honest. I will cry a lot regardless, but I’ve always said that I want him to go down in history and while he will already, if he was a multiple Grand National winner it would set him apart.

It’s a very competitive National, but I do think he’s the one to beat. He ticks a lot of boxes and he showed last year, the ability he has and how much he liked the fences and the marathon trip. The one I’m probably most worried about is Gavin Cromwell’s Limerick Lace. She stays and while she hasn’t gone over the fences, if she takes to them, being a mare, she would be the one I’d think might be the biggest challenger to us.