One For Arthur became the first Scottish-trained winner of the Randox Health Grand National since Rubstic in 1979 and just the second overall after the 14/1 shot ran out an impressive winner of the extended four and a quarter-mile £1-million contest.
Trained in Fife by Lucinda Russell, who was becoming just the fourth woman to train the winner of the Grand National, the eight-year-son of Milan was given a great ride by Derek Fox, having just his sixth ride since returning from injury.
Held up early on, One For Arthur made good progress on the second circuit to challenge for the lead at the final fence, and kept on well up Aintree’s famous elbow to score by four and a half-lengths to Cause Of Causes in second.
The imposing gelding is owned by the Two Golf Widows – Belinda McClung and Deborah Thomson, who bought the horse three years ago at the Cheltenham sales as they resigned themselves to the fact that their husbands would be playing golf on the weekends.
Thus, they decided to part with £50,000 to acquire One For Arthur and their decision was vindicated in the best way imaginable on Saturday as he decisively routed a talented Grand National.
Being only an eight-year-old, barring injuries, he should be back to defend his title next year. McClung commented:
I can’t believe it. It has been an amazing day. One For Arthur cruised that race and Derek [Fox] rode him so well. I am a bit lost for words, really.
Other owner Thomson said:
I thought this morning, ‘it’s baking hot and at Warwick [where he won the Betfred Classic Chase in Janury] he preferred the soft’. I said there is no pressure now because is not going to win on that ground. I must say though, he has showed his class today.
We have had horses before with Lucinda [Russell, winning trainer], and Lucinda and Peter [Scudamore] were thinking of getting another horse. We decided to have a horse together and that is when we found Arthur. We didn’t realise we had just bought such an amazing horse, but he has given us such a wonderful journey.
The husbands are here today – they were not going to miss out!
