Perthshire racehorse One for Arthur has romped home in first place in the 2017 Grand National.
The eight-year-old was one of the favourites ahead of the legendary race, with odds of 14-1 minutes before the start.
Jockey Derek Fox rode Arthur after battling back to health from an injury sustained during a race in Carlisle on March 9.
His participation at the Aintree was initially in doubt, but following a spell of recuperation at Jack Berry House in Malton, he was given the all-clear to pull on his blue, white and purple silks and get back into the saddle.
However he gave the ride of his life to accelerate past early favourite Blaklion after the final jump and take the title.
Immediately after the race Derek said: “It’s unbelievable. He just jumped so well – I didn’t have to use his gallop to get there.”
One for Arthur was trained at Lucinda Russell’s stable near Milnathort and is jointly owned by “The Two Golf Widows” Belinda McClung, from the Borders, and Debs Thomson, who lives in East Lothian.
Debs said: “I Just can’t believe it, it’s been an amazing day. Arthur coasted the race and did well.”
Belinda added that before the race she did not think conditions would be favourable to Arthur.
She said: “I thought it’s baking hot, he preferred the soft ground at Carlisle so there’s no pressure, he’s not going to win on that ground.”
Arthur is only the fourth horse from the stable to make it to the Grand National, and Lucinda has previously said he is the best they have ever produced.
Cause of Causes finished in second place, followed by Saint Are and Blaklion in fourth.
The Grand National has been held at Aintree, near Liverpool, every year since it was first run in 1839.
The horses jump 40 fences during the four mile 514 yard course, with Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn and The Chair the best known.
The first Scottish-trained Grand National winner was Rubstic in 1979.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqt81nHlmS8
