By Jon Lees
The prospect of a second Grand National victory for Corach Rambler in next month’s Randox Grand National has bookmakers fearing a financial hammering.
The star of Lucinda Russell’s stable completed one of the most straightforward wins of recent times when he triumphed at Aintree 12 months ago. The world famous £1million race has been the horse’s primary goal all season.
But he also proved himself among the best staying chasers in training when he finished third behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup this month.
He was a 14-1 chance to join an elite group of jumpers to win the Grand National twice when the weights for the race were published in February.
Now, due to the sheer weight of punters’ money, he is as low as 4-1 clear favourite for the 34-runner handicap. According to William Hill , another victory for Corach Rambler would represent the worst possible outcome for the bookie.
Not even the wins by other popular picks, Tiger Roll in 2019 and the Sir A P McCoy-ridden, J P McManus-owned Don’t Push It, ranked as bad.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps, said: “Corach Rambler’s run in the Gold Cup looked a perfect prep for his defence of the Grand National, and our customers agree as he has been absolutely hammered in the betting since the run at Cheltenham.
“He wasn’t a bad result prior to that, but the weight of money in the last couple of weeks has been so significant that he’d be the worst ante-post result this century.
“At this stage, we would take anything to beat him, but the way the money is going suggests he’s going to be incredibly hard to beat.”
The nearest rivals to Corach Rambler in the betting are the Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus at 8-1 and last year’s runner-up Vanillier who is a 10-1 chance.