Architect Tips has four betting tips for the 2025 Scottish Grand National after Monday's confirmation stage.
Scottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is Ayr’s biggest race and the 2025 edition promises to deliver all the excitement we can expect.
33 runners remain in contention for the four-mile marathon. Let’s look at some of the leading contenders and the current favourite for the race with a runner guide plus my final conclusion with tips.
At the five-day confirmation stage there was no entry for the top two in the ante-post market Johnnywho (Kim Muir runner up) and Quai De Bourbon.
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Scottish Grand National Runners
Chosen Witness
Won at this meeting last year over hurdles but has found life tough in four starts since, though, he was running well in a Grade 2 race last time out against a quality field when he unshipped his rider at the fourth last.
Looks well handicapped off a mark of 137 but it’s hard to see him winning this on just his fourth chase start. Too inexperienced in my opinion and his jumping will be put under the most immense pressure. Represents last year’s winning connections.
High Class Hero
Excellent strike rate for Willie Mullins, with six wins and three seconds from 10 starts, as his only disappointment came in last year’s Albert Bartlett. He did, however, make too many mistakes when turned over at short odds last time out and he won’t afford to put in a similar round in this better race.
If he does jump well and stays, though, he would have a serious shout off this mark of 148, having finished a half-length second to Dancing City in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Represents last year’s winning connections.
Whistle Stop Tour
Won two of his first three starts over fences, including at this course in one of them, but he was very disappointing in the Ultima last month and it is hard to see him running well despite his trainer Lucinda Russell winning this race in 2021 with Mighty Thunder. Hard to recommend.
Apple Away
Stablemate of the former, and is a Grade 1 winner, but after a good effort when runner-up in the Grand National Trial, she was pulled up in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter. Difficult to see her producing a major turnaround to win this race and it is best to look elsewhere.
Captain Cody
Another member of the Willie Mullins army and has some decent form in the book. However, he unseated in the National Hunt Chase last time out and he would prefer softer ground. Has more to come in this sphere but hard to fancy him for last year’s winning connections.
Loughglynn
Did well over hurdles last season, winning twice and placing twice and has steadily improved in three runs in this sphere. He chased home stable companion High Class Hero last time out and could improve for the step up in trip, but he’s another who would prefer it softer, and the ground is against him. That being said, he does look a classier horse than the one that won it last year for Willie Mullins.
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Macdermott
Was given a peach of a ride to win this 12 months ago, but has been poor in four starts since, and it’s hardly good preparation coming into this on the back of a poor showing last time out. Only 5lb higher than last year but he doesn’t strike me as a back-to-back winner, so he’s opposed.
O’Moore Park
Fell in his first couple of chase starts and has a habit of belting a fence, but he would have run well in each of those with a clear round behind Impaire Et Passe and Champ Kiely and he caught the eye with a third-place finish behind Caldwell Potter at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
The winner has advertised the form since by following up at Aintree, so while his jumping is a bit of a concern, it seems like he will appreciate a stamina test, and he could easily outrun his odds. One of the more interesting contenders for Willie Mullins this year.
Olympic Man
Got off the mark over fences last time out, but I’m not sure he is crying out for such a test like this, and his handler has stronger candidates in the race.
The Kniphand
An improving type and was last seen finishing a staying-on second in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster. The seven-year-old looks like stamina is very much his forte and he should have plenty more to offer. Nigel Twiston-Davies has won this three times, so he knows how to target one at this prize, and this progressive youngster looks a big player.
Henry’s Friend
Four-time winner over fences and didn’t run too badly when eighth in the Ultima last month, but he’s another with stamina doubts, and it’s hard to see him improving from that latest run to take this even deeper race.
Rock My Way
Turned in a career-best effort over fences last time out when second in the National Hunt Chase and that was his first run beyond three miles, so he could have a lot more to offer in marathon events, and this extra yardage could bring about even further improvement. He’s only seven, so age is on his side, and he’ll like the ground, so he could be an outsider worthy of a second look for the Tizzard’s.
Surrey Quest
Ran a huge race when a nose-second in this race last year and although he’s 6lb higher this time, this has obviously been the plan again since. His latest third in the Edinburgh National was a decent effort as well, so he cannot be taken lightly despite needing a bit more if he’s to go one place better than last year.
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Scottish Grand National Tips 2025
HIGH CLASS HERO (best price 14/1) needs to brush up his jumping, but he’s a very good horse, and his Grade 1 second to Dancing City is the best form on offer. He’s only finished outside the top-two once in his career, so if he can put in a fluent round, he has the quality to get heavily involved.
LOUGHGLYNN (best price 25/1) chased home stable companion High Class Hero last time out and could improve for the step up in trip. Like his stablemate mentioned above, he brings a touch of class into the race and can go well.
O’MOORE PARK (best price 16/1) is the other Willie Mullins’ runner I want on my side. His latest third behind Caldwell Potter was encouraging and he could have more to come over this longer distance. I think he’s a very interesting runner carrying the Rich Ricci silks, who had an excellent Cheltenham Festival. Nice weight and mark, coupled with good form for last year’s winning trainer, I like him.
THE KNIPHAND (best price 20/1) has made giant strides over fences and was again doing his best work late on when runner-up last time out. His trainer has won this several times in the past and I think the seven-year-old’s profile fits the mould as a serious contender. I think he will relish this distance and represents fair value at the odds to run well.
