Ridden by Scotsman Derek Fox - who triumphed on Russell’s One For Arthur within the 2017 Grand Nationwide - Corach Rambler got here with an unbelievable late burst to pip Gericault Roque and Oscar Elite after the final fence, having been way back to twelfth turning into the straight.
“It’s unbelievable,” mentioned coach Russell who was coaching his first Cheltenham winner since Brindisi Breeze, who gained the Albert Bartlett Hurdle ten years in the past.
Gericault Roque and Oscar Elite - who travelled ominously nicely spherical the house flip - seemed to have the race between them, however Corach Rambler and Derek Fox hadn't given up and steamed by way of between runners as they hit the hill to win on the line. Tea Clipper stayed on to complete fourth with Our Cloud fifth.
Classic Clouds and Kiltealy Briggs shared the early working till the gray - who gained final 12 months - made a mistake and dropped away.
A packed subject approached three out with any one in all fifteen in with an opportunity and - as the various runners dropped away - the Scottish runner stayed on better of all from essentially the most unpromising place.
The classier horses within the race, Lostintranslation and Frodon have been left behind when the race obtained severe and, of the opposite well-backed runners, Loss of life Responsibility completed sixth, Fantastikas completed seventh and favorite Floueur by no means obtained shut sufficient.
The profitable horse is the apple of the attention of Russell’s accomplice Peter Scudamore, himself a former champion jockey.
He by no means gained a Grand Nationwide however his winner seems the type to go and run nicely within the race in future.
End result:
1st Corach Rambler 10/1
2nd Gericault Roque 9/1
third Oscar Elite 22/1
4th Tea Clipper 12/1
fifth Our Energy 11/1