A final field of 21 represented a slightly lower turnout than usual for the biggest event of the Scottish racing year. That number decreased further following a deluge on the eve of the race, which turned the ground heavy. Among those taken were Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Ask Brewster and Willie Mullins’ sole entry, Road To Home. Having saddled the winner in 2024 and 2025, Mullins missed his chance to become the first trainer to win three successive editions.
Prominent in the market from the moment the final field was confirmed, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Kim Roque just edged favouritism. Sporting the silks of proud Scotsman Ronnie Bartlett, the six-year-old had caught the eye when staying on late to finish fourth in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup. 1lb lower for this test, he looked fairly handicapped as he tackled four miles for the first time.
Representing Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell, King Of Answers came next in the market following solid support on the day. He also arrived on the back of a solid effort at the Cheltenham Festival, having finished second in the National Hunt Challenge Cup.
The only other runners to start at a single-figure price were the Mark Walford representative Chasingouttheblues, Paul Nicholls’ Midlands Grand National hero Isaac Des Obeaux, and the big gamble of the race, Promontory, who won the Dublin National in March.
Looking further down the list, Git Maker caught the eye, having finished third in the 2025 edition. At bigger prices, the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White runner Kap Vert posted a career-best win at Taunton on his most recent appearance, and Katate Dori had every chance if bouncing back to his 2025 Ladbrokes Trophy winning form.
Result
- 1st – Kap Vert 20/1, Jockey: Sean Houlihan, Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
- 2nd – Git Maker 10/1, Jockey: Jonathan Burke, Trainer: Jamie Snowden
- 3rd – Kim Roque 4/1F, Jockey: J J Slevin, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- 4th – Isaac Des Obeaux 17/2, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £112,540
- 2nd – £42,400
- 3rd – £21,220
- 4th – £10,600
- 5th – £5,320
- 6th – £2,660
- 7th – £1,320
- 8th – £680
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £23.20
- Tote Places – 1st – £4.20, 2nd – £2.60, 3rd – £1.80, 4th – £2.00
- Exacta – £244.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £209.87
- Trifecta – £1,383.10
- Tricast – £991.89
Recap
The Paul Nicholls’ duo of Quebecois and Isaac Des Obeaux grabbed the lead when the starter lowered his flag. Gabby’s Cross started slowly and found himself three lengths adrift at the back of the pack, while Katate Dori made a jolting error at the first obstacle.
Isaac Des Obeaux and Quebecois continued to make the running as the field turned into the home straight for the first time. Stolen Silver and Collectors Item came next, followed by Chasingouttheblues and Kap Vert. Kim Roque and Famous Bridge were also well in touch towards the inside. The well-supported King Of Answers found himself relegated to last place following a bad blunder in the back stretch.
Jumping the first fence on the second circuit, the order remained much the same. Quebecois was setting a sensible pace and saving ground on the inside, closely followed by Stolen Silver and Isaac Des Obeaux. Chasingouttheblues, Kap Vert, and Irish raider Blaze The Way made up the next wave of three. The only notable struggler at this stage was Gabbys Cross, with the mount of Nick Scholfield making a series of jumping errors.
Heading out onto the final circuit, the grey Stolen Silver nosed ahead, flanked by Quebecois and Isaac Des Obeaux. Welsh challenger Katate Dori made a forward move to sit on the heels of the leaders, with Chasingouttheblues and Kap Vert leading the chasing pack. Further back, the demanding conditions were beginning to take a toll, with Maximilian the first to call it a day when pulled up before the 18th fence.
Halfway up the back straight, only nine runners remained in serious contention. Unable to maintain his gallop, Quebecois was among those to drop back through the pack. Isaac Des Obeaux moved best of the front runners, but the eye was drawn to Kap Vert, who travelled sweetly for Sean Houlihan in fourth position. Quietly ridden by J J Slevin, the market leader Kim Roque was close enough to strike, while Git Maker was staying on dourly at the back of the main group.
Turning for home, Katate Dori and Isaac Des Obeaux held the lead, but Kap Vert moved ominously well in third. Promontory was ridden but staying on in fourth, with Kim Roque a little outpaced but sticking to his task. Git Maker’s challenge looked to have ended when sprawling on landing at the 21st, but he had rallied well to move back into contention.
Kap Vert took the lead over the third last with his rider motionless in the saddle. Jonathan Burke was more animated but received a willing response from Git Maker, who moved into second. Ridden into the last, Kap Vert surged two lengths clear and maintained his advantage to score by a length and a half from Git Maker, who ran a mighty race in second. Kim Roque stayed on to take third with Isaac Des Obeaux back in fourth.
A first Scottish Grand National for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, and comfortably the biggest win of Sean Houlihan’s career.
Runners
- 1. Blaze The Way – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Ms Margaret Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 2. Quebecois – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 3. King Of Answers – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore, Jockey: Derek Fox
- 4. Isaac Des Obeaux – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 5. Our Power – Non-Runner
- 6. Road To Home – Non-Runner
- 7. Herakles Westwood – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Warren Greatrex, Jockey: James Bowen
- 8. Ask Brewster – Non-Runner
- 9. Katate Dori – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Sam Thomas, Jockey: Dylan Johnston
- 10. Stolen Silver – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Georgina Nicholls, Jockey: Miss Olive Nicholls
- 11. Famous Bridge – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Nicky Richards, Jockey: Sean Quinlan
- 12. Montregard – Non-Runner
- 13. Maximilian – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Donald McCain, Jockey: William Maggs
- 14. Gabbys Cross – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Nick Scholfield, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 15. Kim Roque – SP: 4/1F, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 16. Collectors Item – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Jonjo & A J O’Neill, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- 17. Git Maker – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Jamie Snowden, Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- 18. Kap Vert – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White, Jockey: Sean Houlihan
- 19. Promontory – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Sarah Joanna Connell, Jockey: Donagh Meyler
- 20. Chasingouttheblues – SP: 11/2, Trainer: Mark Walford, Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
- 21. Magna Sam – Non-Runner
Non-Runners
Our Power (unsuitable ground), Road To Home (unsuitable ground), Ask Brewster (unsuitable ground), Montregard (unsuitable ground), Magna Sam (unsuitable ground)