Opinion: Myretown can follow in Corach Rambler's Grand National footsteps

Lucinda Russell knows how to handle a Grand National candidate and Myretown has what it takes to emulate her stable stars of the past.

Now holding a joint licence with Michael Scudamore, Russell has twice stood victorious in the Aintree winners' enclosure following Britain's most famous steeplechase, once with One For Arthur and more recently with Corach Rambler.

They haven't had to wait long but there is a good chance that the Scottish operation has uncovered its latest gem.

Saturday will see Myretown take his chance in the Coral Gold Cup, three years after Corach Rambler finished a staying-on fourth en route to National glory.

Eight months prior, Corach Rambler had stormed up the Cheltenham hill to land the Ultima Handicap Chase - the exact same race that gave Myretown his biggest success to date.

There is no doubting that connections knew exactly what they had on their hands that day.

He was backed to the exception of effectively everything else in the lead up to the race, going off a warm 13/2F despite double-figure prices being available the day prior.

With Patrick Wadge onboard, they jumped out, made all and recorded a resounding 11-length success.

The mark of 127 clearly underestimated his ability and he was duly hit with a mammoth 15lb rise.

Now up to a mark of 142, after just five chase starts, there is a good chance that he will progress far past that rating.

His last three successes have been by nine-and-a-half lengths, 19 lengths and 11 lengths, winning as he liked on each occasion.

Truly a nightmare for the handicapper.

Ahead of his seasonal debut at Newbury, Russell has been effusive in her praise.

I think he’s one of the best ones we’ve ever trained.

~ Lucinda Russell discussing Myretown on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.

"He has that little side of being a freak, he’s a little bit different to other horses, he’s a very bold horse, he’d do anything for you, and he has a great heart.

“If he can be better than his handicap mark then we’ll be OK. It’s a big ask for him, he’s only a second season chaser and it’s the most competitive staying handicap there is so let’s see how he gets on."

Should he run a decent race this weekend then he'll likely follow a very similar route to Corach Rambler with all roads leading to Aintree.

Myretown is 33/1 for the Grand National time of writing and, should he make it there, thoughts of getting that price on the day will be fanciful.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.