Willie Mullins Pursues Historic Scottish Grand National Hat-Trick at Ayr
Just one week after securing his third successive Randox Grand National victory, champion trainer Willie Mullins is set to attempt a remarkable hat-trick in the Coral Scottish Grand National this Saturday at Ayr Racecourse. This prestigious staying race, valued at £200,000, represents one of the season's major betting highlights, and Mullins aims to replicate his Aintree success on Scottish soil.
Mullins' Dominance in National Races
Mullins' recent triumph at Aintree saw I Am Maximus add the 2026 Grand National to the stable's wins in 2024 and 2025, with Nick Rockett claiming victory last year. In the Scottish version, Mullins has been equally formidable, winning the last two runnings with Macdermott in 2024 and Captain Cody in 2025. For this year's edition, he will rely solely on Road To Home, a seven-year-old yet to win over fences but who demonstrated potential by finishing a close second to Ask Brewster in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
His son, Patrick Mullins, will take the ride on Road To Home, adding a familial touch to the campaign. The field of 21 runners includes notable contenders such as Ask Brewster, trained by Cath Williams, whose husband Evan was recently jailed for assault. Kim Roque, trained by Joseph O'Brien, and King Of Answers, from the Perth & Kinross stable of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, have been prominent in ante-post markets.
Key Contenders and Market Dynamics
Joseph O'Brien, son of legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien, seeks redemption after a near-miss in the Grand National, where his runner Jordans led late but was overtaken. He pins his hopes on Kim Roque, a chaser with limited experience but a fourth-place finish in the Kim Muir, two spots behind Road To Home. Meanwhile, King Of Answers represents a stable that previously won this race with Mighty Thunder five years ago, adding local intrigue.
Another notable entry is Montregard, trained by Tom Lacey and owned by billionaire JP McManus, who also owns I Am Maximus. Montregard has shown strong form this season, with three wins and a second place in five starts, making him a serious threat in the competitive lineup.
Confirmed Runners and Riders for the Scottish Grand National
The full list of participants for the Coral Scottish Grand National includes:
- Blaze The Way - Danny Mullins
- Quebecois - Harry Cobden
- King Of Answers - Derek Fox
- Isaac Des Obeaux - Sam Twiston-Davies
- Our Power - Rider to be confirmed
- Road To Home - Mr P W Mullins
- Herakles Westwood - James Bowen
- Ask Brewster - Mr Shane Cotter (7)
- Katate Dori - Dylan Johnston
- Stolen Silver - Miss Olive Nicholls (5)
- Famous Bridge - Sean Quinlan
- Montregard - Stan Sheppard
- Maximilian - William Maggs (3)
- Gabbys Cross - Sean Bowen
- Kim Roque - J J Slevin
- Collectors Item - Jonjo O'Neill Jr
- Git Maker - Jonathan Burke
- Kap Vert - Sean Houlihan
- Promontory - Donagh Meyler
- Chasingouttheblues - Jamie Hamilton
- Magna Sam - Ciaran Gethings
This event not only highlights Mullins' quest for a historic triple but also underscores the depth of talent in National Hunt racing, with trainers and jockeys from across the UK and Ireland vying for glory. As betting interest surges, all eyes will be on Ayr to see if Mullins can achieve another milestone in his illustrious career.
