Scotland takes its turn in the list of Grand National events.
Wales, Ireland and England have had theirs, now it is Scotland's turn to host their national.
Run over four miles with 30 fences to jump, this year's running marks 50 years since Red Rum became the first horse to win both the English Grand National at Aintree and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in the same season.
The 2024 Scottish Grand National has exciting context to it because it has become one of the most valuable races left in the race for the British Trainers’ Championship. The race looks set to go down to the with Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton all fighting it out.
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Scottish Grand National Runners 2024
There are still 36 runners in contention following Monday's confirmation stage for the 2024 Scottish Grand National, including six for Willie Mullins.
Here's a look at those heading the betting market for Saturday's race:
Macdermott
Given the title race, it is no surprise to see that the ante-post favourite for the race is a Willie Mullins trained horse. That horse comes in the shape of Macdermott who is a general 13/2 shot for it. With a nice racing weight of 10st 7lb, this improving six-year-old novice looks to hold strong claims.
Indeed, he improved for the step up to 3 miles last time out at Fairyhouse where he ran out a 12-length winner of a handicap chase. That victory earned him a 12lb hike in the weights and the British handicapper has put him up a further 4lb for this, but he is fully unexposed over staying trips.
However, although he improved up to 3 miles, this is another big leap up to 4 miles, and it is yet to be seen whether it will suit. On top of that, he is unlikely to encounter the heavy ground he won on last time out with him never racing on ground better than soft.
Anglers Crag
Next up on the list is Eider Chase winner Anglers Crag. Last year Kitty's Light famously won the Eider before winning this race and Anglers Crag will be hoping to emulate him. This season has certainly been revolutionary as he has risen 28lbs in the ratings from 106 to 134.
He only seems to do enough too with his first victory off 106 only by a short head and his latter one by a neck as well. The consequence of this means he's difficult to assess because he keeps a bit back and, as such, his limit may not yet have been reached.
Although his victory was on heavy ground last time, his previous three were all on good to soft ground and looks to hold every chance.
Stay Away Fay
Briefly considered for a tilt at the Gold Cup, Stay Away Fay is undoubtedly the class horse in the race and bids to give Paul Nicholls a much needed win in the race after his heroics with Vicente. He is a high class novice who is unexposed over marathon trips and his form speaks for itself.
However, he was very disappointing last time in first time headgear and his top weight of 12 stone doesn't inspire confidence. Indeed, only one winner in the last 10 years has carried more than 11st 3lb and so he will need be at his very best, something he wasn't at last time.
Git Maker
It was unfortunate for Git Maker to run into Inothewayurthinkin last time out in the Kim Muir. Indeed, Gavin Cromwell's horse was extraordinarily well handicapped off 145, something he proved again when winning the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree last time out.
If you take the winner out of the equation, Git Maker won the race by 18 lengths, yet was only nudged up 1lb for it. The 4th placed Where It All Began ran a respectable 8th in the Irish Grand National and he was over 18 lengths behind Git Maker.
That was an amateur riders race as well, and although William Biddick is excellent, the return of Gavin Sheehan should aid his chances and he can go very well at a trip he is unexposed over.
Beauport
Mr Incredible was well fancied for Aintree's Grand National on Saturday so it makes sense that the horse who beat him is well fancied here. Nigel Twiston-Davies' Beauport has long promised to land a big handicap chase, and he delivered on that when winning the Midland's National last month.
He has taken a 8lb rise in the weights but his racing weight here of 11st 1lb is manageable. Nevertheless, he consistently jumps out to his right which won't suit round left handed Ayr and his biggest wins have come on bottomless ground.
Scottish Grand National Odds
| Runner | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Macdermott | 6/1 | 5/1 |
| Anglers Craig | 8/1 | 6/1 |
| Sail Away | 12/1 | 8/1 |
| Git Maker | 12/1 | 8/1 |
| Stay Away Fay | 12/1 | 8/1 |
| Beauport | 14/1 | 12/1 |
| My Silver Lining | 16/1 | 12/1 |
Scottish Grand National Date & Start Time
The Scottish Grand National is due to be run on Saturday 20th April at 3.35pm at Ayr Racecourse. The race is scheduled to be broadcast live on ITV.
Scottish Grand National Tips
GIT MAKER looks to be on an incredibly lenient mark given the winner's form at Aintree and he can provide Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan with another big handicap success of the season. He's versatile regarding ground, jumps well and is unexposed at the trip.
