THEY came from all over Scotland to see our new National hero yesterday – hundreds of well-wishers descending on the village of Milnathort near Kinross to catch a glimpse of One For Arthur.

The horse, who became only the second Scottish-trained winner of the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, took all the adulation in his stride at the Arlary Stables of his trainer Lucinda Russell.

He will be back on show again today, as his owners and trainer have announced he will parade in front of the stands at Kelso races.

It was back in 1979 when Rubstic last won for Scotland, and it seemed that a large proportion of Scottish punters had followed The National’s tip that eight-year-old One For Arthur – owned by a partnership called Two Golf Widows – was worth a bet at the rewarding odds of 14-1.

The “Widows”, Belinda McClung from Roxburghshire and Debs Thomson from East Lothian, saw their Saltire colours carried to victory over the famous Aintree fences, with Irish jockey Derek Fox giving One For Arthur an inspired ride to come from behind and take the lead over the final fence of the gruelling marathon.

Proof that The National’s advice had been followed came from the country’s leading independent bookmaker who called it the firm’s worst result in living memory. Bill Stratton, general manager of Scotbet, told the Racing Post: “We’ve got 50 shops and one won £113 on the day. The rest varied from losing thousands to many thousands. It’s the worst result I can remember, and unfortunately I’m old enough to remember Rubstic winning the Grand National. That was very bad, but this is worse.

“But I couldn’t be happier for Lucinda Russell, who has done remarkably well and deserves all the success she gets.

“It’s great for Scotland. The horse was in all of the Scottish papers before the race and there was coverage on the radio.

“It won’t just be us in Scotland – every bookmaker up here will be hit.

Ladbrokes lost £12,000 to just one punter who put £1000 on the nose at 12-1.

The spokesman said: “It was the biggest National payout of all time in Fife, while shops in Glenrothes, Cowdenbeath, Kelty and Perth have all paid out hundreds of thousands.”

Trainer Russell’s first words after the win were to say how proud she was that the race had been won for Scotland.

The care she takes of all her horses was evident with the superb condition of One For Arthur, who looked in the pink yesterday.

Russell said: “He has taken it all in his stride and he certainly knows he’s famous now.

“It’s an amazing feeling to wake up in the morning and think ‘I have just won the National’.

“He’s in brilliant order and he will be off on his holidays now until next season. It’s a great boost for Scotland, for us and everyone in the yard.

“I’m so proud as it was a real team effort and it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I would think next season would be all about heading back to Aintree again.”