The protesters attempted to disrupt the Randox Grand National at Aintree and managed to delay the start by 15 minutes.
What they absolutely failed to do was spoil a sensational race enjoyed by 70,000 spectators on the sun-drenched track and watched by nearly eight million on TV.
Many of them applauded 8-1 winner Corach Rambler, who gave little concern to his back as he rode smoothly, jumped with precision and was brought forward when jumping the last of the 30 hurdles.
It was a second victory for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey her Irish jockey Derek Fox, five years after becoming the last British combination to win the race with One For Arthur in 2017.
The 30-year-old Fox had to overcome an injury after injuring his shoulder in a fall last week.
Corach Rambler and jockey Derek Fox stormed to victory in the Randox Grand National
Lucinda Russell, who claimed her second win in the iconic race, was critical of animal rights activists delaying proceedings
He was not officially cleared to ride until the morning of the race, when he had to perform push-ups for the racecourse’s medical staff to prove he was ready to compete in one of the most demanding races on the calendar .
Deftly, to sidestep fallers in a drama-packed race, it was a touch of Red Rum about the way Corach Rambler tackled this famously ancient course, which was entirely fitting considering it was 50 years since the greatest Aintree horse of all time won the first won his record three Grand Nationals.
And Corach Rambler continued another tradition of the world’s most spectacular jump race. He provided yet another fairy-tale victory story.
Corach Rambler is not owned by multimillionaires or oil-rich sheikhs.
He cost just £17,000 and his syndicate of seven, some of whom had never owned a horse before, including 21-year-old Edinburgh student Cameron Sword, only paid £3,000 for their share.
Yes, a handful of protesters went to great lengths to disrupt a British institution, but failed to spoil a special sporting occasion. Corach Rambler took care of that.
His victory provoked an emotional reaction from Russell. Earlier year, One For Arthur had to be put to sleep due to a severe bout of colic.
Russell arrived at the press conference after the Grand National after scattering some ashes from her first Grand National winners at the finish.
Russell, who trains Corach Rambler with his partner, eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore, said: ‘We just scattered some of Arthur’s ashes at the finish. Isn’t it wonderful that he passed the baton to Corach. It’s very emotional.
The protesters who attempted to disrupt the Randox Grand National at Aintree and managed to delay the start by 15 minutes
What they absolutely failed to do was spoil a sensational race enjoyed by 70,000 spectators on the sun-drenched track and watched by nearly eight million on TV.
‘Arthur was a fantastic horse who changed my life. It also gave me the confidence to train Corach. One For Arthur taught us how to train a horse for a day. He is now a life changer himself and I think Corach will change many of the owners’ lives.”
Russell, who lost her father Peter in January, admitted watching the race had been emotional, adding: ‘When the starting tires went up I just started crying. It does that to you and it’s a release from emotion.
‘My father loved Aintree, he loved Liverpool. He would be so proud, he was beside himself when we won it with One For Arthur. He framed me and I hope we honor his memory.”
“We’re a small team, it’s like a family, it actually sounds a little sweet. My phone has gone crazy. It’s so important to everyone. People do a lot of little things to support this horse and it’s all thanks to them. That’s why we’re doing so well, it’s in the little things.’
Not that Russell had much to worry about in the race. The only time there seemed to be a slight flash of concern was when Corach Rambler popped his head in the air to watch the crowd on the run up, but he still had plenty in the tank.
The 20-1 runner-up Vanillier closed, as did the third Gaillard Du Mesnil. While last year’s winner Noble Yeats ran a blinder in fourth, but no one could give the winner a hand.
The delay at the start was distressing for the horses. How much the pre-race delay played a role is hard to say, but the race was full of drama.
At the first gate Galvin, the last career ride for Davy Russell, Diol Ker, Cloudy Bay, Recite A Prayer and Hill Sixteen all got out. The latter was the only confirmed fatal accident among horses last night.
But the loose horses then caused more chaos than the demonstrators. The runners who can count themselves unlucky included Lifetime Ambition, who unseated Sean O’Keeffe Eva’s Oskar, who unseated Alan Johns at the 21st fence.
Police were active before, during and after the race, arresting protesters (pictured above)
A protester tried to climb over the fences at the racecourse and disrupt the Grand National
But amidst the chaos – 17 of the 39 starters finished – it was all serene for Corach Rambler.
Fox said, “I was little more than a seated passenger the whole way through. He is the most beautiful horse and I was very lucky to ride him.’
We were all lucky enough to see him.
RECITE A PRAYER and Cape Gentleman were judged on track by veterinary teams last night. Both horses entered the horse ambulance for further assessment in the stables.
