After Corach Rambler's first fence exit in the Grand National last weekend, Lucinda Russell will think about taking him to the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.
The 10-year-old was heavily favoured to win back-to-back in the spectacular Aintree, after a very impressive third-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, he lost contact with Derek Fox at the first obstacle and then lost all riders at the second.
Fortunately, Corach Rambler made an excellent return to Scotland during the week, and Russell is considering taking an Irish Sea excursion at the finish of the season.
“When Corach Rambler unseated Derek at the first in Saturday’s Grand National, it certainly wasn’t the fairytale result the team and I had dreamt about for our pride and joy! It was naturally very disappointing, but I’m delighted to report that he came home safe and sound,” she told William Hill. We schooled him on Wednesday morning to make sure he hadn’t lost any confidence after Aintree, and he seemed really happy. He’s very pleased to be back at work and there are no ill-effects from Liverpool, which is fantastic. Regarding future plans this season, he’s still got an entry in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Immediately after the Grand National, I wasn’t that keen to run him again this term, but if he’s very fresh and feels good, we’ll think about taking him to Ireland. We’ll see what each day brings and decide nearer the time, but I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”