Arthur becomes a National hero for Scotland

The Scottish-trained winner One For Arthur came from a long way back under Fox, who only returned from injury earlier this week, making his challenge on the run to the last and staying on well on the long run in. 

Recent Cheltenham winner Cause of Causes (16/1) was four and a half lengths back in second with 2015 runner-up Saint Are (25/1) staying on late to be placed again in third.

8/1 favourite Blaklion made a bold bid when leading the field across the Melling Road but faded into fourth by the finish.

The well-fancied Definitly Red had to be pulled up early on after his jockey Danny Cook suffered tack problems when hampered at Becher's.

Plenty were still in the race with a circuit to go where leader Roi des Francs was badly hampered by a loose horse.

50/1 shot Gas Line Boy fared best of those at longer odds in fifth with nineteen completing the course.

Lucinda Russell became the fourth lady to train a National winner after Jenny Pitman, Venetia Williams and Sue Smith. The only previous winner trained in Scotland was Rubstic in 1979.

Russell, who is assisted by her partner, former champion jockey Peter Scudamore, said: "It means everything, of course it does! It's incredible. I'm just so proud of the horse. He jumped fantastically and Derek gave him a great ride.

"He's done us proud and he's done Scotland proud, and he's done everyone at the yard proud.

"Derek is amazing -I know he's a horseman and everything, but his timing is fantastic as well, and the self-confidence he has is brilliant. He had him jumping brilliantly.

"Before the Melling Road, I turned to the owners and shouted, 'We're going to win the National!' With a horse like that and a jockey like that, what could be better? It was a bold call but it was right.

"It's really funny how everything has gone right. The preparation for the horse, everything - when we worked out what training he was going to have, we built in an extra week for something to go wrong, like losing a shoe. He did lose a shoe, but the farrier got up early on Saturday morning to put it back on. Everything's gone so smoothly, including winning the race! It's dreamlike."

Asked what the victory meant for her yard, she said: "I always say, it's fine, I'm the figurehead and I'm saying what's going on, but it's everyone back at home - from our farrier to our vet, who is here by one of the fences - we've got a great team and long may it continue. And the support we've had from the other owners - it can be hard when everyone is talking about the one horse, but hopefully we can continue to give them winners.

"Scu is wearing his dad's [the late Michael Scudamore, who won the Randox Health Grand National in 1959 on Oxo] tie, so I think that brought us some luck. I'm delighted for Scu - without him I couldn't do it."

One For Arthur gave Derek Fox his first winner since he was injured following a fall at Carlisle last month and the jockey was understandably elated after the race.

"It's unbelievable!" he exclaimed.

"He's won it so easily. The only concern I had was that he'd be too slow and get too far back - it's tricky to win a National if that happens as you need more things to go your way but he jumped so well.

"After we gone one circuit, I was thinking 'I can't be going as well as I am' as we were so near the leaders. He jumped all the way down the back - he was going so well that I thought I might take him a bit wider as he was making two or three lengths with every jump.

"As we crossed Valentine's, I was closing and closing and thought I might be there too soon. For a brief moment, I took a small pull on him. He's the gamest horse I've ever ridden and he galloped all the way to the line.

"I'd just like to thank Jack Berry House for getting me back after the injury a few weeks ago. I fractured my wrist and dislocated my shoulder. I kept the wrist out of plaster and I asked the doctor if I'd be able to ride in the National. He smiled at me and said 'well at least it's a race that you're unlikely to fall off in!' He did say that if I kept it out of plaster and worked hard, then I should have some sort of chance of being fit.

"If it wasn't for Jack Berry House though, I never would have got back in time so I'd like to thank them, the owners and Lucinda (Russell - winning trainer) and Scu (Peter Scudamore, Russell's partner and former champion jockey) for putting me on the horse. Some might have thought I wasn't fit enough but they kept the faith. Big thanks to everyone. It's an amazing feeling - it's better than I thought it would ever have been.

"I was so determined to get back. Luckily, I've had a great partnership with the horse all year and he's obviously just an improving horse. I'm very lucky to have got the ride on him in the first place - I can't believe it."