Connections of Corach Rambler, triumphant in the 2023 Grand National, are eyeing an ambitious Gold Cup and Grand National double, setting sights high despite what appeared to be a lacklustre start to the season.
Two-time Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell dismissed any doubts that may have arisen following Corach Rambler’s performances and provided some insights into her thinking going forward.
“There are no immediate race plans with Corach Rambler, mostly because there’s no race that would really suit him between now and Cheltenham.”
Russell elaborated, “The weight he’d have to carry if going for the Ultima would be too much and we’d rather have a crack at the big one off level weights, but with an eye on going back for the National.”
Peter Scudamore, eight time champion jockey and assistant to Russell, added, “I think he’s got an opportunity of being placed in a Gold Cup. Corach Rambler loves Cheltenham and has performed well at Cheltenham. He obviously beat Fastorslow last season and the extra two furlongs of the Gold Cup won’t worry him.
“I think he’s a worthy runner in the Gold Cup – I don’t think he’d just be turning up for the day out – and I’d be quite happy to go straight there.”
Corach Rambler wouldn’t be the first horse to be targeted at both races despite how unlikely winning the double has proved over the years, with only Golden Miller winning the pair in the same season way back in 1934.
The most recent attempt was by Noble Yeats, the 2022 Grand National winner, who finished in fourth place in both races earlier this year, earning a combined prize just shy of £100,000.
As for Corach Rambler, while bookmakers have some confidence in him securing back-to-back Grand National wins, a Gold Cup victory is less likely at 33/1.
