Road to Cheltenham analyses the Scottish Grand National market at the five-day confirmation stage and provides two tips.
Scottish Grand National
Aintree’s Grand National Festival was a roaring success for me on the tipping front, with three winners and two places from just 10 selections across the three days. I ended the meeting in profit and hopefully I can carry that momentum into Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting this weekend.
A total of 25 horses have been kept in Saturday’s big race at the confirmation stage, with most of the market leaders standing their ground. The weights will go up significantly in the absence of the Aintree runners but that’s not a problem – in fact, it will benefit many down the bottom as they won’t be running out of the handicap.
2026 Scottish Grand National Runners:
1. Blaze The Way - Margaret Mullins, Ireland
2. Quebecois – Paul Nicholls
3. King Of Answers – Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
4. Isaac Des Obeaux – Paul Nicholls
5. Our Power – Sam Thomas
6. Road To Home – Willie Mullins, Ireland
7. Guard The Moon – Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
8. Herakles Westwood – Warren Greatrex
9. Ask Brewster – Mrs C Williams
10. Duffle Coat – Gordon Elliott, Ireland
11. Katate Dori – Sam Thomas
12. Stolen Silver – Georgina Nicholls
13. Famous Bridge – Nicky Richards
14. Montregard – Tom Lacey
15. Maximilian – Donald McCain
16. Gabbys Cross – Nick Scholfield
17. Kim Roque – Joseph O'Brien, Ireland
18. Collectors Item – Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
19. Git Maker – Jamie Snowden
20. Kap Vert – Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
21. Val Dancer – Mel Rowley
22. Promontory – Ms S. J. Connell, Ireland
23. Chasingouttheblues – Mark Walford
24. J'Arrive de L'Est – Emmet Mullins, Ireland
25. Magna Sam – Alastair Ralph
So, which runners make my shortlist ahead of Saturday’s feature at Ayr? I’ve landed on a couple for the Scottish Grand National – and I’ll explain my thinking below.
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Scottish Grand National Betting Tips
I was very sweet on KIM ROQUE going into the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and I remain utterly convinced that he has a fair bit in hand off his BHA mark of 131. He wasn’t given the best ride that day and I’d imagine that John Gleeson would do things differently if he had his time again.
Having said that, he ran well to finish eight lengths behind Ask Brewster – who may also take his chance at Ayr on Saturday. Road To Home, runner up that day, is another who may line up and, like Ask Brewster, he was prominent throughout. However, I’d be very confident that Kim Roque can reverse that form at Ayr.
The Kim Muir form is looking reasonably strong, with Monbeg Genius (3rd) and The Enabler (6th) finishing fifth and third respectively in the Irish Grand National. Meanwhile, Sandor Clegane – around six lengths behind Kim Roque that day – won at Down Royal on Sunday so the Festival form is stacking up.
There were whispers earlier in the season that connections felt Kim Roque was much better than his initial mark of 123 and he still looks to have plenty in hand to me. He’s a real staying type and I’ll be recommending him as a 2pt win bet – Scottish owner Ronnie Bartlett could be celebrating long into the night on Saturday.
MONTREGARD has been campaigned exclusively at right-handed tracks this campaign but I wouldn’t read too much into that myself. Instead, I’d prefer to focus on his record and Tom Lacey may have had this race in mind all year long – with Montregard winning by less than three lengths on both occasions this term.
He has form that ties in with some nice enough types and he is unexposed at marathon distances, which makes him a very intriguing contender. While he also holds an entry in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see him line up at Ayr – with connections hinting at a trip north in a recent interview.
JP McManus has never won the Scottish Grand National but how often has he had one line up with a good chance? The Limerick businessman has achieved almost everything there is to achieve in the sport but the Ayr showpiece continues to elude him – I wonder if Montregard could be the horse to break that hoodoo.
Lacey has never had a runner in the Scottish version of the race so it would be some tale if the pair could combine for Ayr glory. Montregard looks primed to go close in a big race this spring anyhow and I’m willing to take a small punt on him lining up on Saturday as I can see him running a big race if he makes the journey north of the border.
