Corach Rambler claimed victory in the 2023 Grand National at Aintree, delivering a dominant performance that saw the nine-year-old gelding triumph as the 8/1 favourite under jockey Derek Fox. Trained by Lucinda Russell, the win marked a remarkable second success for the partnership, six years after their initial triumph with One For Arthur in 2017.
The race unfolded on April 15, 2023, drawing 39 runners to the starting line after several withdrawals. The event faced an unexpected 14-minute delay due to Animal Rising protests, yet the competition proceeded with full intensity. Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal fall at the first fence, casting a sombre shadow over the early stages of the contest.
Corach Rambler led over the final fence, then pulled clear approaching the elbow to win by 2¼ lengths. The grey horses Vanillier and Gaillard Du Mesnil finished second and third respectively, maintaining the notable trend that no grey horse had won the National since 2011.
2023 Grand National: Full Results and Finishing Order
Corach Rambler
Derek Fox
Lucinda Russell
8/1 Favourite
The complete top nine finishers demonstrated the competitive nature of this year’s National, with experienced horses and emerging contenders filling the positions. ITV commentator Richard Hoiles captured the moment: “Corach Rambler soars into the lead… Lucinda Russell, Derek Fox, and again Scotland take the National with Corach Rambler.”
- Second Grand National victory for both jockey Derek Fox and trainer Lucinda Russell
- Corach Rambler became only the third Scottish-trained winner in the past decade
- The winning prize of £561,300 represented the largest payout in the race’s history at that time
- Pre-race favourites included Corach Rambler (6/1 early), Noble Yeats (8/1), and Delta Work (10/1)
- 17 of the 39 runners successfully completed the gruelling course
- The Russell-Fox partnership previously won together in 2017 with One For Arthur
- Trainer Lucinda Russell described the winner as a horse that “loves the sport”
| Position | Horse | Age | Weight | Odds | Distance | Jockey | Trainer | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corach Rambler | 9 | 10-5 | 8/1 Fav | – | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | £561,300 |
| 2 | Vanillier | 8 | 10-6 | 20/1 | 2¼ lengths | Sean Flanagan | Gavin Cromwell | £211,100 |
| 3 | Gaillard Du Mesnil | 7 | 11-0 | 10/1 | 4¾ lengths | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | £105,500 |
| 4 | Noble Yeats | 8 | 11-11 | 10/1 | 1½ lengths | Sean Bowen | Emmet Mullins | £52,700 |
| 5 | The Big Dog | 10 | 11-5 | 12/1 | Neck | Aidan Coleman | Peter Fahey | £26,500 |
| 6 | Born By The Sea | 9 | 10-2 | 50/1 | 1¼ lengths | Philip Enright | Paul Gilligan | £13,200 |
| 7 | Roi Mage | 11 | 10-8 | 33/1 | 3¾ lengths | Felix de Giles | Patrick Griffin | £6,800 |
| 8 | Mister Coffey | 8 | 10-4 | 33/1 | 12 lengths | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | £3,600 |
| 9 | A Wave Of The Sea | 7 | 10-6 | 66/1 | 2¾ lengths | Shane Fitzgerald | Joseph O’Brien | £2,000 |
Non-Finishers and Early Exits
Several prominent runners failed to complete the course. Any Second Now, Capodanno, Coko Beach, Cape Gentleman, Velvet Elvis, Dunboyne, and Back On The Lash were pulled up during the race. Recite A Prayer and Cape Gentleman required veterinary attention but both walked off the course under their own power.
Recent Grand National Winners: 2014 to 2023
The 2023 victory placed Corach Rambler among a distinguished group of recent winners, each representing different training establishments and jockey partnerships. The decade spanning 2014 to 2023 witnessed notable diversity in winners, with several horses achieving back-to-back successes.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | 8/1 |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | Aidan O’Toole | Emmet Mullins | 50/1 |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | – |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) | – | – | – |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | Davy Russell | Gordon Elliott | – |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | Davy Russell | Gordon Elliott | – |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | – |
| 2016 | Rule The World | David Mullins | Mouse Morris | – |
| 2015 | Many Clouds | Leighton Aspell | Oliver Sherwood | – |
| 2014 | Pineau de Re | Leighton Aspell | Dr Richard Newland | – |
Notable Patterns in Recent Winners
Tiger Roll remains the only horse to win consecutive Grand Nationals since Red Rum in the 1970s, achieving victories in both 2018 and 2019 under the training of Gordon Elliott. The 2020 race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving a gap in the historical record.
The Russell-Fox partnership marked a rare Scottish-Irish collaboration in National Hunt racing history. Their two victories, separated by six years, demonstrated the durability required for the demanding Aintree course.
2022 Winner: Noble Yeats
Noble Yeats returned to the 2023 National as the defending champion, having won the previous year at remarkable 50/1 odds as a novice. Trained by Emmet Mullins and originally ridden by Aidan O’Toole, the horse carried top weight of 11 stone 11 pounds in his title defence under Sean Bowen. Despite the burden of defending champion status, Noble Yeats finished a respectable fourth, proving his consistency across consecutive seasons.
Who Will Win Future Grand Nationals?
Speculation about future Grand National winners naturally follows each running of the race, yet predicting outcomes remains inherently uncertain given the numerous variables affecting performance. The 2023 result demonstrated that both seasoned campaigners and surprise contenders can prevail, with Corach Rambler emerging from a competitive field.
Factors Influencing Future Results
The Grand National’s unique combination of distance, fence configuration, and field size creates conditions where any horse meeting the entry requirements could potentially prevail. Factors including ground conditions, horse fitness, and tactical positioning during the race all contribute to the final outcome.
The official Grand National website maintained by the Jockey Club provides updated information regarding entry procedures, qualifying criteria, and race schedules. Those seeking authoritative details about upcoming events should consult the Jockey Club’s official records for the most current guidance.
Looking Ahead to Future Races
The Grand National continues to attract entries from across the training establishments in Britain and Ireland. Each year’s contest brings new contenders while established horses may return seeking further glory. Whether subsequent winners emerge from the pool of previous competitors or from horses making their debut in the race remains to be determined by the actual results.
Key Moments from the 2023 Race
The 2023 Grand National unfolded across several distinct phases, with different horses leading at various stages. The opening fences claimed several runners early, establishing the challenging nature of the Aintree fences that have characterised the race for generations.
- Pre-race: The field assembled with 39 runners following withdrawals; protests delayed the start by approximately 14 minutes
- Early stages: Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal fall at the first fence, setting a tragic tone for the race’s opening
- Middle stages: The field navigated the demanding fences with progressive attrition as horses tired or encountered difficulties
- Final circuit: Corach Rambler emerged as a prominent contender, positioning himself for the closing stretch
- Final fence: Corach Rambler led over the last fence, entering the closing straight in command
- Finish: The favourite drew clear approaching the elbow, winning by 2¼ lengths ahead of Vanillier
What We Know and What Remains Uncertain
Established Information
- Corach Rambler officially won the 2023 Grand National on April 15
- The horse was trained by Lucinda Russell and ridden by Derek Fox
- Corach Rambler started at odds of 8/1 and won by 2¼ lengths
- The winning prize totaled £561,300
- 17 horses completed the course out of 39 starters
- Hill Sixteen died following a fall at the first fence
Information Pending Confirmation
- Specific performance details for horses competing in future editions
- Entry lists and final fields for subsequent Grand National meetings
- Post-race assessments for horses requiring veterinary attention during the 2023 running
Historical Significance and Context
The 2023 Grand National added another chapter to horse racing’s most prestigious event. Corach Rambler’s victory reinforced the importance of careful preparation and the enduring value of experience in the saddle, with Derek Fox demonstrating the judgment required to guide a favourite to success.
The absence of grey winners since 2011 ended with Vanillier’s second-place finish, though the historic pattern of chestnut and bay dominance continued through the winner’s colouring. Such patterns, while statistically notable, remain coincidental rather than determinative of competitive outcomes.
The Russell-Fox partnership represented a transatlantic collaboration between Scottish and Irish racing traditions, combining different approaches to training and preparation that nonetheless produced consistent results at the highest level. Their achievement with Corach Rambler, like their earlier success with One For Arthur, demonstrated the synergy possible across different racing cultures.
Sources and Official Statements
“Corach Rambler soars into the lead… Lucinda Russell, Derek Fox, and again Scotland take the National with Corach Rambler.”
— ITV commentator Richard Hoiles, describing the finish of the 2023 Grand National
“He loves the sport. He’s a very, very genuine horse.”
— Trainer Lucinda Russell, speaking about Corach Rambler following the victory
Results and race reports have been compiled from official records maintained at Aintree, with verification through multiple independent racing publications. The Grand National official website and comprehensive race records provide authoritative documentation of finishing positions, prize allocations, and official timings.
Summary: The 2023 Grand National Result
Corach Rambler secured the 2023 Grand National, delivering as the 8/1 favourite under jockey Derek Fox and trainer Lucinda Russell in what ITV’s Richard Hoiles described as a moment where “Scotland take the National with Corach Rambler.” The victory, worth £561,300 in prize money, saw the nine-year-old win by 2¼ lengths ahead of Vanillier and Gaillard Du Mesnil. The result marked the second National triumph for both Fox and Russell, following their 2017 success with One For Arthur, and confirmed Corach Rambler as one of the premier staying chasers of his generation.
For additional analysis comparing different sporting disciplines, see the Leeds United vs Everton – Result, Lineups, Stats & Highlights coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2023 Grand National?
Corach Rambler won the 2023 Grand National at Aintree, finishing 2¼ lengths ahead of Vanillier under jockey Derek Fox.
Who was the trainer of the 2023 Grand National winner?
Lucinda Russell trained Corach Rambler to victory. This marked her second Grand National win, having previously won with One For Arthur in 2017.
What were the odds for Corach Rambler in the 2023 Grand National?
Corach Rambler started the race as the 8/1 favourite, with early odds of 6/1 available before the meeting.
Who won the Grand National in 2022?
Noble Yeats won the 2022 Grand National at odds of 50/1, trained by Emmet Mullins and originally ridden by Aidan O’Toole.
What happened to Hill Sixteen in the 2023 Grand National?
Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal fall at the first fence during the 2023 Grand National, a tragic outcome that occurred early in the race.
How much prize money did Corach Rambler win?
Corach Rambler earned £561,300 for connections, representing the largest winner’s purse in Grand National history at that point.
Who are the jockey and trainer partnership behind the 2023 winner?
Derek Fox, an Irish jockey, and Lucinda Russell, a Scottish trainer, formed the partnership. This was their second Grand National victory together, following their 2017 win with One For Arthur.
How many horses finished the 2023 Grand National?
Of the 39 runners that started the race, 17 successfully completed the course and finished the 2023 Grand National.
Oliver Hayes is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, reporting on news, local government and public services. His work is reviewed by the editorial desk and checked against our sourcing and fact-checking standards before publication.