Scottish Grand National Day tips and race previews

The British spring racing festivals may now be behind us, but there is still plenty to play for between now and the end of the season. 

Victory in last week’s Grand National with I Am Maximus means Willie Mullins has a real chance of becoming just the second Irish-based trainer to win the British trainers’ championship, and he heads into this weekend with a narrow lead over Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls. 

The feature race is the Scottish Grand National over four miles, which offers one of the sternest stamina tests of the season. Mullins’ six runners include Mr Incredible, who was a leading fancy at Aintree before unseating at The Chair fence. 

With so much to dissect, we’ve taken a look at the fields on Scottish Grand National Day and picked out the very best horse racing tips, analysis and free bet offers.

Scottish Grand National Day race schedule 

The Scottish Grand National is a hugely popular day for punters, with the 26-runner feature race regularly producing a pulsating finish. The big race is due off at 3.35pm. 

The supporting card is an excellent one, with a cool £500,000 up for grabs in prize money across the eight races. We’ve listed the full schedule for the racing at Ayr on Saturday below.

Scottish Grand National Day tips and predictions

The two main spring racing festivals may now have been and gone, but there is plenty that still needs to be decided between now and the end of the season. 

There’s currently a three-way battle for the trainers’ championship between Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins, meaning that the entries for this weekend’s card are very strong. 

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the race card and picked out our very best bets for Scottish Grand National Day at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday. 

Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase tips

All eyes will be on the six Willie Mullins runners, as the Closutton trainer bids to follow up last week’s Grand National victory with success in the Scottish equivalent. 

There has been sustained money all week for the favourite Macdermott, a novice who announced himself as a stayer to follow when winning a competitive handicap at Fairyhouse at the beginning of the month. He deserves respect, as does stablemate Mr Incredible, a talented stayer who was one of the leading fancies at Aintree last week and ought to be in the mix if none the worse for those excursions. 

However, in a wide-open looking race, it could be worth siding with Inis Oirr each-way. The seven-year-old has long been highly thought of by his trainer Lucinda Russell and he’s been steadily rising through the staying ranks. He looked a stayer on the up when convincingly winning the Edinburgh National over this distance at Musselburgh in February and while he’s been hiked 14lbs in the weights for that, he’s been given time to recover since. 

Russell won this race with Mighty Thunder in 2021 and considering her ability for getting the best out of staying chasers, it would be no surprise should Inis Oirr prove up to this challenge, on ground which should suit him. 

Scottish Grand National selection

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Scottish Grand National prize money

This weekend’s racing at Ayr looks set to have a crucial say in the ongoing race for the trainers’ championship, with no less than £500,000 up for grabs across the eight races. 

The Scottish Grand National itself is worth £200,000 of that amount alone, with £112,540 going to the winner of the race. The runner-up will receive £42,400, with third place getting £21,220 and fourth place taking home £10,600. 

Scottish Grand National jockey overview

The Scottish Grand National is one of the most difficult staying chases of the year to win and some legendary names have come out on top over the years. 

It’s definitely an advantage to side with a jockey who has been there and done it before, so we have listed every jockey who is still active that has won the Scottish National for you below. 

• Sam Twiston Davies – 2 wins (Vicente 2016 and 2017)
• Robbie Dunne – 1 win (Wayward Prince 2015)
• Adam Wedge – 1 win (Joe Farrell 2018)
• Sean Quinlan – 1 win (Takingrisks 2019)
• Rob James – 1 win (Win My Wings 2022)
• Jack Tudor – 1 win (Kitty’s Light 2023)

Scottish Grand National Chase trainer overview

We’re set for a real mix of yards in this year’s Scottish Grand National, with horses from both sides of the Irish Sea confirmed within the 26 runners. Five of those yards represented have won the race before and we’ve listed each of their runners for you below. 

Paul Nicholls

• Three winners: Belmont King (1997) and Vicente (2016 and 2017)
• Two runners: Stay Away Fay (12-1) and Broken Halo (33-1) 

Nigel Twiston-Davies

• Three winners: Captain Dibble (1992), Earth Summit (1994) and Hello Bud (2009)
• One runner: Beauport (20-1)

Lucinda Russell

• One winner: Mighty Thunder (2021)
• One runner: Inis Oirr (14-1), Your Own Story (40-1)

Alan King

• One winner: Godsmejudge (2013)
• One runner: Egbert (40-1)

Peter Bowen 

• One winner: Al Co (2014)
• One runner: Punitive (100-1)

Scottish Grand National Chase previous winners

Scotty Brand Handicap Chase tips

An excellent field which wouldn’t look out of place if this was a graded contest. The progressive Uncle Phil arrives here fresh and will be popular for Willie Mullins on the back of his victory in a Grade 3 handicap at Fairyhouse in January, but he’s been hiked in the weights for that and Pembroke is fancied to land an early blow for Dan Skelton. Admittedly, the seven-year-old’s two victories to date over fences look slightly hollow, but he’s held his own in two stronger races since and there ought to be wiggle room in his chasing mark considering his ability over hurdles. 

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CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase tips

Dan Skelton has won two of the last four renewals of this and he’s fancied to improve that record with Hitching Jacking, who sneaks into the race off a light weight. The seven-year-old has yet to win in three starts over fences, but he’s been progressing well against more experienced rivals and receives weight off the majority of the field here. Skelton has been enjoying some notable wins in handicap company this term and it would be no surprise should Hitching Jacking prove to be ahead of his mark.

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Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle tips

A fascinating renewal of this Grade 2 contest, in which Favour And Fortune is fancied to come out on top. Like most who carry the Hemmings colours, the six-year-old will likely come into his own over fences, but he’s been enjoying a good season over timber. His run to finish sixth in last month’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was a solid one and it would be no surprise to see him go close here now dropped in grade. 

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Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy tips

Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the 11 runners and he’s fancied to pick up some valuable prize money with Saylavee. The seven-year-old was a Listed winner as a novice last season and she’s been holding her own at higher levels so far this season. She gives the impression of one with a big race in her sooner or later and would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead, though jockey bookings could prove to be a crucial pointer. 

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Stagecoach Novices’ Handicap Hurdle tips

It’s possible to make a case for the majority of the 10 runners, but Masaccio very much catches the eye. The seven-year-old has won two of his four starts to date over hurdles and lost little in defeat when fifth in a Grade 1 contest in December. He got back to winning ways in good style in a novice contest at Kempton last time out and he appeals as one who could be lurking on a very attractive opening mark of 129. 

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Tennent’s Novices’ Hurdle tips

Willie Mullins is throwing everything he has at the trainers’ title and while this race is worth just £10,000 to the winner, he’s fancied to bank it with Billericay Dickie. The five-year-old looked a very nice prospect when winning a maiden race at Punchestown in January and he’s fancied to build on that by seeing off more experienced rivals here. 

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Golf Inn Prestwick Open National Hunt Flat Race tips

Four of the last six winners of this race have been favourites, meaning it’s worth waiting for market clues before having a strong opinion in this. With those absent at the time of writing, a chance is taken on Califet En Vol, who was purchased for £145,000 by his powerful connections back in December. The five-year-old makes fair appeal on paper and any market confidence would be notable. 

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About Scottish Grand National Day 2024

The Scottish Grand National is one of the biggest race days of the year up in Scotland, with up to 19,000 people expected at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday. 

The race has more than 150 years of history, being held at Bogside Racecourse since 1867, before moving to Ayr in 1966 upon its closure. 

The Scottish Grand National is seen as a strong pointer for the Aintree Grand National, with several winners of the race going on to be successful in Liverpool. 

The most recent horse to complete the feat was the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Earth Summit (1994), while the great Red Rum is the only horse to win both races in the same year (in 1974). 

How to bet on the Scottish Grand National Day

Placing a bet on horse racing can seem daunting if you’re new to the sport, but it is a simple task to those familiar with sports betting. To help you out, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to betting on the Scottish Grand National. 

1. Sign into your betting account. If you don’t have one, there are plenty of options for you in this article. 
2. If you need to create an account, select a sign up offer below and join by navigating to the bookmaker you’ve picked out. 
3. Once you’re logged in, navigate to the ‘horse racing’ section of the website. 
4. Select the racing taking place at Ayr on Saturday 20^th April 2024.
5. You now need to select a horse. You can either follow the expert tips in this article or you can view the form for free on the Racing Post website. 
6. Once you have picked a horse, add them to the betslip by clicking on the odds next to their name. 
7. You should be able to see your horse in the betslip. Input your stake. 
8. Once you are happy, select ‘place bet’. 
9. Your Scottish Grand National bet should be placed. Good luck!

How to watch the Scottish Grand National 

You can watch the Scottish Grand National live on ITV Racing, who are broadcasting live at Ayr from 1pm-4pm on Saturday. You can also watch the race live on Racing TV, or you can stream the race live with your bookmaker. Please check with your operator that they offer this service before placing any bets. 

FAQ about Scottish Grand National Day tips and previews

The Scottish Grand National is one of the biggest betting races of the season over the jumps, meaning that it will likely attract punters who don’t normally bet on the horse racing. There are plenty of frequently asked questions which pop up around the topic of horse racing betting on fast withdrawal casino sites and we’ve answered three of the most popular questions below. 

1. Which bookmakers are offering the best promotions or bonuses for the Scottish Grand National?

There are plenty of excellent free bet offers up for grabs on the Scottish Grand National. The race is a big betting race and bookmakers pull out all the stops to draw you in to bet with them. It essentially means that it is more about finding a bookmaker that suits your needs and we have listed what we feel are the best horse racing betting sites for you in this article. 

2. What’s the best way for beginners to use the Scottish Grand National tips betting?

The most important thing is to trust your own judgement. There is so much information available for free these days and it’s important to read as much of it as you can, but once you have considered all the facts, you have to trust your own gut and follow through. If you edge away from a horse you’ve picked out at the last minute, you could live to regret it!

3. Is the Scottish Grand National the biggest day of the racing year?

It depends who you’re asking! The Scottish racing scene is an extremely strong circuit and the Scottish Grand National is certainly one of the biggest days of the Scottish racing calendar. With 19,000 people expected at Ayr on Saturday, it certainly isn’t one to be missed.

About the author

Nick Seddon

A sports journalist with more than a decade of experience, Nick has covered some of the biggest events in sport, from the Grand National and the Epsom Derby in horse racing to Walsall against Wigan Athletic in League One.

Follow Nick on X: @nickseddon_

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