Corach Rambler is said to be "really well" ahead of his bid to become the 10th dual winner of the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse a week on Saturday.
Lucinda Russell's 10-year-old, who gave his Kinross-based handler a second victory in the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree 12 months ago, is over his exertions when third in last month's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, and is ready to try and defend his Grand National crown next week.
Since winning the Grand National 12 months ago, under regular partner Derek Fox, Corach Rambler has moved into Grade One company finishing third in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November before coming home in the same position behind dual winner Galopin Des Champs in racing's blue riband event at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Having been sent off the 8-1 favourite in last year's National, since that run at Prestbury Park Corach Rambler has been at the head of the market for the 176th running of the Aintree showpiece on April 13. He is currently as low as 7-2 with the Grand National's official betting partner William Hill, but a best-priced 5-1 with Betfred to follow in the hoofprints of recent back-to-back winners Red Rum (1973-1974) and Tiger Roll (2018-2019).
And his connections are looking forward to trying to add his name even more indelibly in the Grand National hall of fame with a second success. Russell, speaking exclusively to the Liverpool ECHO courtesy of William Hill at Aintree Racecourse today, said: "He is really good. He has actually improved for it (the run). We actually wanted it to tighten him up for the National. He has come out of it really well.
"He has obviously gone up in the weights (he will carry 11st5lb as opposed to 10st5lb last year) and
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk