Check out our confirmed runners guide and betting tips from Road To Cheltenham for the Scottish Grand National 2026.
The 2026 Coral Scottish Grand National has taken shape with 21 runners declared for one of the most demanding tests of the jumps season at Ayr. Worth £200,000 and run over four miles with 27 fences and a long, punishing run-in, Saturday’s 15:35 feature once again promises a searching examination of stamina, jumping and late-season resilience.
At the head of the market is Kim Roque for Joseph O’Brien, a lightly raced six-year-old who arrives off a solid fourth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival and represents a profile still open to significant progression. Willie Mullins, who has dominated the race in recent seasons, is represented solely by Road To Home as he attempts a notable hat-trick in the contest, returning to Ayr after a narrow second at Cheltenham behind Ask Brewster.
Paul Nicholls brings a strong hand with Quebecois, a staying-on third in the Ultima, and Isaac des Obeaux, a proven mud-loving marathoner and recent Midlands National winner, giving him multiple angles into the staying handicap.
Home support is led by King Of Answers, runner-up in the National Hunt Chase and expected to be suited by the step up in trip, while the likes of Montregard, Montregard, and others from both Britain and Ireland add depth to a fiercely competitive renewal.
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Scottish Grand National Runners & Riders
Blaze The Way – Danny Mullins
Profile: Top weight for Margaret Mullins; smart Irish novice chaser with graded-level form.
Recent form: Beat L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham in December; fair seventh in the Ultima behind Johnnywho.
Trip/stamina: Shapes as though he’ll stay, but this is a first crack at a searching four miles under 12st.
Handicap angle: Now exposed to the assessor; nothing obviously “in hand” off 145 and history says big weights struggle here.
Verdict: Classy but burdened—solid place claims if he relaxes early, yet trends scream “oppose at the price” for win purposes.
Quebecois – Harry Cobden
Profile: Paul Nicholls novice, Ultima third at Cheltenham and a major market player.
Recent form: Jumped boldly and led over the last in the Ultima before being outstayed; up 5lb for that run.
Trip/stamina: Four miles is a big question—Cheltenham suggested he might be more of a strong 3m–3m2f horse.
Handicap angle: Still unexposed over fences, but high enough in the weights for a novice in this race.
Verdict: Likeable, progressive and will be popular, but stamina at this extreme trip is the nagging doubt.
King Of Answers – Derek Fox
Profile: Lucinda Russell/Michael Scudamore novice, flying the Scottish flag and prominent in the betting.
Recent form: Excellent second in the National Hunt Chase behind rapid improver Holloway Queen.
Trip/stamina: Proven strong stayer at 3m6f; this extra yardage looks a positive rather than a concern.
Run style: Came from off the pace at Cheltenham; ideally needs to hold a handier position around Ayr.
Verdict: Rock-solid profile—novice, in form, stays well. On any trends-based shortlist and a very obvious win contender.
Isaac des Obeaux – Sam Twiston-Davies
Profile: Paul Nicholls’ Midlands Grand National winner, arriving off a career-best.
Recent form: Sprang a surprise at Uttoxeter, relishing the attritional test and heavy ground.
Trip/stamina: No stamina doubts whatsoever; if Ayr turns testing, his staying power becomes a major weapon.
Handicap angle: Up 7lb for that win—needs another step forward in a deeper race.
Verdict: Proper grinder who comes into it more the tougher it gets; each-way player if conditions are demanding.
Our Power – Danny Gilligan
Profile: Sam Thomas veteran, placed in this race last year behind Captain Cody.
Recent form: Lightly campaigned—three runs this season—suggesting this has been the long-term target.
Handicap angle: Now 6lb lower than when third here in 2025; very well treated on that piece of form.
Trip/stamina: Proven over course and distance; no fears on staying or handling Ayr.
Verdict: Not getting younger but handicapped to go very close again—live each-way with a “laid-out” feel.
Road To Home – Patrick Mullins
Profile: Willie Mullins’ sole runner as he chases a Scottish National hat-trick.
Recent form: Neck second to Ask Brewster in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, posting a career best.
Trip/stamina: Stays 3m2f well; the extra mile is the unknown, especially as he can race keenly.
Run style: Travels strongly; if he settles, he could cruise into it, but over-racing early would be costly.
Verdict: Classy Closutton representative with upside, but temperament and stamina at four miles are the key risks.
Herakles Westwood – James Bowen
Profile: Warren Greatrex chaser who has hinted this sort of marathon test could suit.
Recent form: Had a rare off-day at the Cheltenham Festival; previously a New Year’s Day Cheltenham winner.
Trip/stamina: Pedigree and running style suggest he’ll appreciate a long, even gallop.
Handicap angle: Only 1lb higher than his Cheltenham win—fairly treated if you forgive the latest run.
Verdict: Bounce-back candidate at a price; not bomb-proof, but there’s a staying chaser lurking on a workable mark.
Ask Brewster – Shane Cotter (7)
Profile: Cheltenham Festival winner for Cath Williams, now a key handicap player.
Recent form: Dug deep to fend off Road To Home in the Kim Muir; two wins from three this season.
Handicap angle: Up another 7lb for that success but still looks on the upgrade.
Trip/stamina: Strong stayer at 3m2f; profile suggests he’ll see out four miles if ridden cold early.
Verdict: Tough, progressive and in form—shortlist material again, with the 7lb claimer an extra tick in the box.
Katate Dori – Dylan Johnston
Profile: Second string from the Sam Thomas yard; less exposed than Our Power.
Form/angle: Has shaped as a staying type in handicaps; stepping into deeper waters here.
Trip/stamina: Pedigree points to stamina, but this is a big class and distance hike in one go.
Handicap angle: Lower in the weights than the stablemate, but with more to prove.
Verdict: Interesting lurker for place money if he improves for the marathon trip, but speculative.
Stolen Silver – Olive Nicholls (5)
Profile: High-class handicapper often seen in strong 2½–3m chases.
Trip/stamina: Four miles is a major question—most of his best work has come at shorter.
Run style: Usually ridden handily; could travel well for a long way before stamina is tested.
Handicap angle: Talented but not obviously well treated at this new trip.
Verdict: Ability is there, but this looks more like an experiment—easy enough to oppose for win purposes.
Famous Bridge – Sean Quinlan
Profile: Nicky Richards staying chaser campaigned with patience.
Trip/stamina: Stays 3m+ and shapes as though a marathon could suit if he gets into a rhythm.
Form/angle: Comes here a little under the radar compared with Festival horses.
Handicap angle: Could creep into contention off a fair weight.
Verdict: Quiet profile but not without a squeak at big odds for those who like closers.
Montregard – Stan Sheppard
Profile: JP McManus runner for Tom Lacey, Swinley Handicap Chase winner at Ascot.
Recent form: Progressive handicapper on the up this season.
Trip/stamina: Has stayed strongly at 3m; four miles is new but his style suggests he’ll keep finding.
Handicap angle: Up in the weights but still looks progressive.
Verdict: Classy improver—if he stays, he’s a major player and a plausible winner.
Maximilian – William Maggs (3)
Profile: Donald McCain stayer with a 3lb claimer.
Trip/stamina: Stoutly bred and shaped as a grinder; four miles should be within range.
Handicap angle: Claim helps; fairly treated but not obviously thrown in.
Verdict: Honest type who could plug on into the frame more than win.
Gabbys Cross – Sean Bowen
Profile: Seasoned handicap chaser with plenty of big-field experience.
Trip/stamina: No major concerns over stamina.
Form/angle: Exposed and likely to need everything to fall right.
Verdict: Capable of outrunning odds but hard to see major improvement.
Kim Roque – JJ Slevin
Profile: Joseph O’Brien six-year-old, prominent in the betting.
Recent form: Close fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; better than result suggests.
Trip/stamina: Looks a strong stayer and this marathon trip could unlock improvement.
Handicap angle: Well treated off a light weight and fits strong trends.
Verdict: Strong profile—age, mark and stamina potential make him a leading contender.
Collectors Item – Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Profile: Staying chaser with useful novice form.
Trip/stamina: Stays well and shaped like a marathon could suit.
Form/angle: Has not fully delivered in big handicaps yet.
Verdict: Needs to step forward again; others arrive with stronger claims.
Git Maker – Jonathan Burke
Profile: Jamie Snowden representative, solid and reliable.
Trip/stamina: Shapes like a stayer; should see out the trip.
Handicap angle: Usually runs to mark and may need a career best.
Verdict: Reliable for placement rather than a win threat.
Kap Vert – Sean Houlihan
Profile: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White chaser lightly raced this season.
Trip/stamina: Stamina looks a plus but first true marathon test.
Form/angle: Freshness could be an asset.
Verdict: Dark horse type—needs improvement but interesting outsider.
Promontory – Donagh Meyler
Profile: Irish raider for Sarah Connell.
Trip/stamina: Stamina-laden and likely to be ridden for a late finish.
Form/angle: Unexposed in this sphere and could be underestimated.
Verdict: Hard to assess but not one to dismiss if market support appears.
Chasingouttheblues – Jamie Hamilton
Profile: Mark Walford stayer typical of northern handicaps.
Trip/stamina: Marathon trip looks suitable.
Form/angle: Needs major improvement to win.
Verdict: More of a place or back-to-lay type than win material.
Magna Sam – Ciaran Gethings
Profile: Alastair Ralph runner with solid staying form.
Trip/stamina: Proven over long distances.
Handicap angle: Could be fairly treated on best form.
Verdict: Likely to plug on late and pick up tired horses if the race collapses.
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Road To Cheltenham's 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.
