Scotland celebrated only its third success in the Randox Grand National when Corach Rambler landed the £1 million race at Aintree.
He gave his Kinross trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox their second victory in the race six years after their triumph with One For Arthur.
Corach Rambler, sent off an 8-1 chance, eased to the front at the 29th of the 30 fences and kept on to beat the late finishing Vanillier, with Gaillard Du Mesnil third and last year’s winner Noble Yeats fourth.
The start of the world famous race was delayed by 14 minutes after a small group of animal rights protesters breached the Aintree perimeter and got onto the track to cause disruption.
They had to be removed before the race was allowed to start but once it did there was no interruption of the action.
After a catalogue of blunders on the first circuit the race settled down with Mister Coffey, trying to give Nicky Henderson an elusive first win, taking up the running.
But he was a sitting duck for Corach Rambler who was travelling noticeably strongly and had the race in safe keeping once sent on by Fox, winning by two and a quarter lengths
Rubstic was the first Scottish-trained winner of the Grand National in 1979.
Fox, who was an injury doubt right up until the day of the race, said: “I can’t believe it to be honest. He is a phenomenal horse. He has been so lucky for me.
“I was blessed to be able to get the leg up on him the first day. I can’t believe it. Today he jumped out and travelled everywhere. He is so intelligent. He is a marvellous horse.”
Result of the 2023 Grand National
1. Corach Rambler 8-1
2. Vanillier 20-1
3. Gaillard Du Mesnil 10-1
4. Noble Yeats 10-1
5. The Big Dog 12-1
6. Born By The Sea 50-1
Rest of the finishers
7. Roi Mage 33-1
8. Mister Coffey 33-1
9 A Wave Of The Sea 66-1
10. Le Milos 12-1
11. Our Power 25-1
12. Enjoy d’Allen 50-1
13. Fortescue 100-1
14. Carefully Selected 50-1
15. Minella Trump 50-1
16. Francky Du Berlais 125-1
17. Ain’t That A Shame 10-1
Fallers
Sam Brown
Hill Sixteen
Fury Road
The Big Breakaway
Pulled up
Any Second Now
Back On The Lash
Coko Beach
Dunboyne
Cape Gentleman
Capodanno
Velvet Elvis
Unseated rider
Delta Work
Darasso
Cloudy Glen
Diol Ker
Eva's Oskar
Galvin
Longhouse Poet
Lifetime Ambition
Gabbys Cross
Recite A Prayer
Mr Incredible
