He clinched victory the world’s greatest steeplechase, the first Scottish victor since Rubstic in 1979.
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Fox himself almost missed the ride, only returning to action after a broken wrist earlier in the week, and the mount on One For Arthur was just his fifth since his return.
Fred Done, boss of Warrington-based Betfred, said: “As soon as I heard what Aintree were doing I wanted to support this fantastic idea”. After a pre-race pep talk from Scudamore, Fox kept One For Arthur at the back of the 40-horse field for much of a typically chaotic race that had just 19 finishers.
Russell, whose companion riding great Peter Scudamore never won the race, would join the hallowed ranks of Jenny Pitman, who won it twice, Venetia Williams and Sue Smith if her well-handicapped runner conquers the intimidating 30 fences and 39 rivals.
“I got a heavy fall in the novice chase and that was four weeks ago on Thursday”.
Russell, whose partner and assistant is former champion jockey Peter Scudamore, said: “What a day! We think Carol’s system does just that”.
“He’s awesome. He’s improved every time”.
United Kingdom commercial broadcaster ITV is partnering with VR production company VR City and media agency Goodstuff to showcase the highlights of forthcoming Randox Health Grand National horse race in virtual reality, following the success of the broadcaster’s recent VR campaign for the Cheltenham Festival which generated nearly two million views across the four- day jump racing event. “We went to Cheltenham sales and got One For Arthur”, said Belinda. “It’s out of this world”.
She said: “It means everything”. McClung has been a steward at Ayr, Kelso and Musselburgh Racecourses.
The oldest jockey to win the Randox Health Grand National was Dick Saunders, who was 48 when he rode Grittar to victory in 1982.
“We couldn’t be more happy for Lucinda Russell”.
She said: “We came off the track and Aintree were brilliant – they had you straight in the cooling area with lots of fans with water spraying out and buckets”. Most of his big wins to date have come from Paul Nicholls, for whom he rode Just A Par to take the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in 2015. He jumped fantastic and Derek gave him a great ride.
“We are very proud”. It’s great to get these horses that finish strongly and I knew he would stay.
“You have to have a partnership name, you can call yourself anything really, but we just decided for a bit of a laugh to call ourselves “Two Golf Widows”.
Vieux Lion Rouge and Definitly Red go into the big race as the early favourites, however The Last Samuri will bid to become the first top-weight (at 11st 10lb) to triumph since the legendary Red Rum way back in 1974.
The Grand National was won by One For Arthur (14/1) under a cloudless Aintree sky on Saturday afternoon.
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“I schooled him last week and I was in no doubt two and a half miles would play to his strengths. Without him I couldn’t do it”.
