Scottish Grand National 2026: Full Race Card and Expert Analysis
The Scottish Grand National returns as the highlight of the meeting at Ayr on Saturday, promising a day of high-stakes jumps racing action. This prestigious four-mile handicap chase has attracted significant attention, with several notable absentees reshaping the competitive landscape.
Notable Absences Reshape the Field
Willie Mullins, who secured victories with Macdermott in 2024 and Captain Cody in 2025, will not be chasing a third consecutive triumph. His sole entry, Road To Home, has been withdrawn from the contest. Ask Brewster, who defeated Road To Home in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, is also absent. The ground at Ayr is currently described as Soft, with Heavy in Places, following significant rainfall on Friday and overnight into Saturday.
Montregard now carries the hopes of owner JP McManus for a maiden success in this contest, following I Am Maximus' Grand National triumph at Aintree just one week earlier. Montregard last appeared in February, claiming a handicap chase over three miles at Ascot. His form includes a finish behind The Jukebox Kid, who is strongly backed for the Irish Grand National, and a pulled-up performance in the outing prior.
Complete Race Card and Tips
Here is the full schedule of races, runners, riders, and expert tips for the Scottish Grand National meeting:
1.10pm: Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (2m1⁄2f)
Runners: 1 Matata (IRE) J J Slevin 25/1, 2 Calico (GER) Harry Skelton 9/1, 3 Traprain Law (FR) Patrick Wadge 4/1, 4 Sans Bruit (FR) Harry Cobden 3/1, 5 Le Nez Creux (FR) Conor Stone-Walsh 9/2, 6 Palacio (FR) Dylan Johnston 6/1, 7 Moudan (IRE) Sean Bowen 13/2, 8 Classic Maestro (IRE) Luke Scott (3) 20/1, 9 Aeros Luck (IRE) Mr Lucas Murphy (7) 16/1
Tip: Le Nez Creux
1.45pm: CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase (3m)
Runners: 1 Califet En Vol (IRE) James Bowen Non-Runner, 2 Gamesters Guy Jack Tudor 22/1, 3 Kdeux Saint Fray (FR) Sam Twiston-Davies 6/1, 4 Milcree (IRE) Sean Quinlan 8/1, 5 Al Kalila (IRE) J J Slevin 12/1, 6 Young Jack (IRE) Danny McMenamin 14/1, 7 Ayiko Danny Mullins 28/1, 8 Pounding Poet (IRE) Stan Sheppard 22/1, 9 Walking On Air (IRE) Harry Cobden 25/1, 10 Diamond Dealer (IRE) Harry Skelton 10/3, 11 Just Over Land (FR) Dylan Johnston 11/1, 12 Caughtinyourtrance (IRE) Ryan Mania 18/1, 13 I Wish You (FR) Patrick Wadge 8/1, 14 Big John Wayne (IRE) Derek Fox 13/2, 15 Blakey Boy (IRE) Peter Kavanagh 11/1
Tip: Diamond Dealer
2.20pm: Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (2m)
Runners: 1 Tutti Quanti (FR) Harry Cobden 9/4, 2 Captain Hugo (IRE) Sean Houlihan 4/1, 3 Gibbs Island Stan Sheppard 15/2, 4 Tellherthename (IRE) Harry Skelton Non-Runner, 5 Ooh Betty (IRE) Sam Twiston-Davies 12/1, 6 Secret Squirrel Jonathan Burke 13/2, 7 Queenie St Clair (IRE) Sean Bowen 11/1, 8 All In You (FR) James Bowen 7/1, 9 Dedicated Hero (IRE) Danny McMenamin 11/1, 10 Welsh Charger (IRE) Ciaran Gethings 40/1
Tip: Tutti Quanti
2.55pm: Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle (3m1⁄2f)
Runners: 1 World Of Fortunes (IRE) Mr R Sugrue (7) 3/1, 2 Holly Hartingo (IRE) Ciaran Gethings 25/1, 3 Game Colours (IRE) Sam Twiston-Davies 9/1, 4 Pinot Rouge (IRE) Nathan Moscrop 28/1, 5 Love Of Neymore Charlie Price 7/1, 6 Fox's Fancy (IRE) Derek Fox 15/2, 7 Twistthenightaway (IRE) Harry Skelton 15/8, 8 Azahara Palace Danny McMenamin 11/1, 9 Princess Keri (IRE) Harry Cobden 16/1, 10 Starlyte (IRE) Patrick Wadge Non-Runner
Tip: Azahara Palace
3.35pm: Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (4m)
Runners: 1 Blaze The Way (IRE) Danny Mullins 28/1, 2 Quebecois (FR) Harry Cobden 11/1, 3 King Of Answers (IRE) Derek Fox 9/2, 4 Isaac Des Obeaux (FR) Sam Twiston-Davies 10/1, 5 Our Power (IRE) Danny Gilligan 25/1, 6 Road To Home (IRE) Mr Patrick Mullins Non-Runner, 7 Herakles Westwood (FR) James Bowen 25/1, 8 Ask Brewster (IRE) Mr S Cotter (7) Non-Runner, 9 Katate Dori (FR) Dylan Johnston 28/1, 10 Stolen Silver (FR) Miss O Nicholls (5) 100/1, 11 Famous Bridge (IRE) Sean Quinlan 28/1, 12 Montregard (FR) Stan Sheppard 7/1, 13 Maximilian (GER) William Maggs (3) 20/1, 14 Gabbys Cross (IRE) Sean Bowen 40/1, 15 Kim Roque (FR) J J Slevin 9/2, 16 Collectors Item (IRE) Jonjo O'Neill Jr 50/1, 17 Git Maker (FR) Jonathan Burke 12/1, 18 Kap Vert (FR) Sean Houlihan 20/1, 19 Promontory (IRE) Donagh Meyler 15/2, 20 Chasingouttheblues (IRE) Jamie Hamilton 6/1, 21 Magna Sam Ciaran Gethings
Tip: Montregard
4.15pm: Stagecoach Your Designated Driver Novices' Hurdle (2m51⁄2f)
Runners: 1 Apache Tribe (IRE) Danny Gilligan 1/1, 2 Laguna Beach (FR) James Bowen 16/1, 3 Leader Crik (FR) Non Runner, 4 Our Boy Stan Sean Bowen 17/2, 5 Stride On (IRE) Derek Fox 8/1, 6 Timesareachanging (IRE) Philip Donovan 11/1, 7 Allfor (IRE) Patrick Wadge 28/1, 8 West Hill Verde (FR) Sean Houlihan 10/3, 9 Queens Secret (IRE) Danny McMenamin 50/1
Tip: Apache Tribe
4.48pm: Golf Inn Prestwick Luxury Accommodation Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m)
Runners: 1 Coconut Man Jack Power 25/1, 2 Jardin De Tunis (FR) Derek Fox 25/1, 3 Old Habits (IRE) Sean Bowen 13/2, 4 Skerry Hill (IRE) Danny Gilligan 3/1, 5 Close House (IRE) Danny McMenamin 12/1, 6 Finisk Pride (IRE) Patrick Wadge 20/1, 7 Keops Des Bordes (FR) Harry Skelton 5/2, 8 Kershaw (IRE) James Bowen 50/1, 9 Le Cold Grey (FR) Harry Cobden 28/1, 10 Brady Hartsfield (IRE) Alex Harvey 5/1, 11 Busted Springs Nathan Moscrop 150/1, 12 Sea Tempest (IRE) Stan Sheppard 17/2
Tip: Skerry Hill
The Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr offers a full day of competitive racing, with challenging ground conditions adding an extra layer of complexity for both horses and jockeys. All eyes will be on the feature race at 3.35pm, where Montregard aims to deliver a memorable victory for connections.
