Robin Oakley

The grand shame of the Grand National protestors

Too many mishaps: jockey Peter Carberry and Gabbys Cross fall at this year’s Grand National. [Michael Steele/Getty Images] 
issue 22 April 2023

When jockey Derek Fox came over from Ireland to join the Scottish stable run by Lucinda Russell and her partner, Peter Scudamore, the long-time champion rider, he was teaching himself to read via texts on his phone. Now he discusses books with Scu. Cleverness comes in different shapes and it was a supremely intelligent ride Fox gave Corach Rambler to win this year’s Grand National, just as he did winning two Ultima Chases at Cheltenham on the same horse.

The same close-knit team won the National six years before with One For Arthur but this time Fox’s participation was in doubt until just hours before the race when, after completing a series of press-ups, he finally declared himself recovered from a shoulder injury. He had given up a cherished ride on the other stable favourite Ahoy Senor to Brian Hughes earlier in the week to make sure he made it for the big race. You couldn’t have a better example of mutual trust between trainer and jockey. When the injury occurred, Lucinda revealed that: ‘Scu and I went to Corach’s box and said to him “Derek’s had a fall”. Can you believe that, we’re supposed to be professionals! He looked really worried! He said, “I know Brian Hughes is a champion jockey but I just want Derek!” That’s how mad we are anyways!’ That’s a kind of madness I relish.

Sadly I cannot avoid giving the ‘animal rights’ protestors the attention they do not deserve

This column should have been a joyful celebration of such madness. I would like to have dwelt on Gordon Elliott’s shrewdness in realising they were pushing things too fast with novice hurdler Irish Point and backing off a Cheltenham preparation so that he came to Aintree cherry ripe to give Davy Russell his last winner before his second retirement.

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