One For Arthur wins Grand National
One For Arthur has won the world”s most famous steeplechase, taking out the Grand National for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox.
The last winner to come from Scotland was Rubstic in 1979.
Fox nearly missed the ride, only returning to action earlier in the week after breaking his wrist last month.
In the rear early, Fox was content to bide his time on One For Arthur on the outside and it was not until coming over Becher’s Brook on the second circuit that he began to creep into contention.
Sweeping around the final bend on the outside, it looked like he had just joined in and he stayed on strongly to defeat Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham Festival winner Cause Of Causes by 4-1/2 lengths.
“It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it. He just jumped so well, even though he was a long way back. He never missed a fence, within reason. He was unbelievable,” Fox said.
“I was lucky to get back in time (from injury) – I want to thank Jack Berry House (rehabilitation centre in Malton). Without them I wouldn’t have got back in time and I wouldn’t have been as fit as I am.
“There were times early on I didn’t think I’d make it, but there was never any danger of me not getting back on the horse if I was fit enough. I’ll always be very grateful to Lucinda and the owners for that.”
Russell has already tasted Cheltenham Festival glory with Brindisi Breeze and now joins an elite list of female National-winning trainers along with Jenny Pitman (twice), Venetia Williams and Sue Smith.
“What a day! We have a fantastic team behind us and I’m just so pleased,” she said.
“He’s amazing. He’s improved very time. I kept thinking barring accidents, he would win the National and he has!
“Right at the beginning when we bought this horse we asked the owners did they want to win the Gold Cup and the National and we all agreed on the National.
“When Derek got injured we lost a big part of our yard because we’re all a team, we really missed him.
“There was never a doubt he wouldn’t ride the horse as long as he was fit enough.
“He’s very cool, he’s only 24 but he has all the right attributes.”