The Scottish Grand National is held at Ayr Racecourse and is a Grade 3 steeplechase. It is the Scottish equivalent of the Grand National and is one of the biggest races of the year north of the border. It cannot match its Aintree namesake in terms of prize money, prestige or global coverage but it certainly provides horses and jockeys with a major test.
Run over four miles it dates back to 1867 and sees horses contend with 27 fences. Held as part of a two-day meeting at Ayr it usually takes place in April, typically a week after the big one at Aintree in modern times. It is open to horses aged five and older and three horses, Couvrefeu II, Southern Hero and Queen’s Taste have managed to claim glory three times. In 1974 the mighty Red Rum won both the Aintree contest and the Scottish Grand National, the only horse to land both in the same year.
2026 - Kap Vert
Kap Vert provided the biggest success yet for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White since the duo took out their joint licence. The six-year-old was making only his fifth start over fences but travelled strongly throughout under Sean Houlihan. Despite the horse’s inexperience and softer than ideal ground, his jumping stood up well to the demands of the marathon test. It could have been a different story on another day though. Runner-up Git Maker suffered a terrible jump on the 21st fence, which lost him ground, while Isaac Des Obeaux (4th) was also hindered by costly jumps four and one out. Nonetheless, the record books will show a win for Kap Vert and his success was thoroughly deserved on the day.
- 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
2025 - Captain Cody
A very patient ride from Harry Cobden helped Captain Cody give Willie Mullins a one-two in this edition. Stablemate Klarc Kent appeared likely to provide the champion trainer with another major success, but Cobden had quietly worked his mount into contention. Even at the final fence, Captain Cody seemed to have too much ground to make up but the 9-1 shot quickened smartly after the last to win cosily. It was only Cobden's second ride for Mullins and the valuable victory also moved the trainer to within £25,000 of Dan Skelton in the British trainers’ championship race.
- 1st - Captain Cody 9/1, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Klarc Kent 20/1, Jockey: Jonathan Burke, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Our Power 33/1, Jockey: Dylan Johnston, Trainer: Sam Thomas
- 4th - Grozni 22/1, Jockey: Callum Pritchard, Trainer: James Owen
2024 - Macdermott
Macdermott proved to be the best of six Willie Mullins runners as he secured a nail-biting win at Ayr. Despite a six-strong roster for this test, Mr Incredible effectively refused to race, while We’llhavewan unseated his jockey at the first fence, making things rather more simple for the remaining runners. In the closing stages, Macdermott was the only remaining hope as he disputed the lead with Surrey Quest. It looked like the latter took it, but a photo finish revealed Macdermott’s perfectly timed nod had earned him the win. With this, Mullins all but confirmed himself as the first Irish trainer since 1954 to win the British National Hunt championship.
- 1st - Macdermott 18/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Surrey Quest 20/1, Jockey: Kevin Brogan, Trainer: Toby Lawes
- 3rd - Git Maker 8/1, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: Jamie Snowden
- 4th - Klarc Kent 50/1, Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe, Trainer: Willie Mullins
2023 - Kitty’s Light
Kitty's Light finally went one better than his second-place finish the previous year to claim victory for Christian Williams and Jack Tudor, with Williams becoming first trainer since Ken Oliver in 1970 and 1971 to win successive Scottish Grand Nationals with different horses. The four-mile contest was impacted by drying ground, which ruled out several notable contenders, plus a short delay caused by on-course protests. Despite these issues, the field remained competitive for much of the race before beginning to string out on the final circuit. Magna Sam moved into contention turning for home, but Kitty's Light and Cooper’s Cross soon joined the challenge. From the pair, Kitty’s Light prevailed comfortably despite an 8lb penalty for his recent Eider Chase success.
- 1st - Kitty’s Light 4/1JF, Jockey: Jack Tudor, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 2nd - Cooper’s Cross 25/1, Jockey: Sam Coltherd, Trainer: Stuart Coltherd
- 3rd - Flash De Touzaine 40/1, Jockey: Richard Deegan, Trainer: Liz Doyle
- 4th - Threeunderthrufive 16/1, Jockey: Adrian Heskin, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2022 - Win My Wings
In 2022 it was Win My Wings who delivered the Ayr showpiece, thanks to a fine ride by Irish amateur Rob James. His 7lb claim helped offset an 8lb rise for her previous victory at Newcastle. James settled the mare in mid-division before moving around the outside and joining the leaders five fences out. Her stamina then proved decisive as she pulled clear of her tiring rivals with some ease to record a fabulous success and give Williams a place in the record books.
- 1st - Win My Wings 13/2CF, Jockey: Mr R James, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 2nd - Kitty’s Light 13/2CF, Jockey: Jack Tudor, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 3rd - Major Dundee 9/1, Jockey: Tom Cannon, Trainer: Alan King
- 4th - Fidux 66/1, Jockey: Daryl Jacob, Trainer: Alan King
2021 - Mighty Thunder
Mighty Thunder produced a late surge to give Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell her first win in the race since 2012. Tom Scudamore kept the eight-year-old in touch before producing his challenge during the closing stages. Dingo Dollar still led with two fences remaining, but Mighty Thunder gradually reduced the deficit before snatching the advantage. At the line, the distance between them was fairly small, but Mighty Thunder always looked in control. The victory followed an excellent run of form, with the gelding winning the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh before finishing second in the Midlands Grand National.
- 1st - Mighty Thunder 8/1, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: Lucinda Russell
- 2nd - Dingo Dollar 7/1F, Jockey: Ryan Mania, Trainer: Sandy Thompson
- 3rd - Mister Fogpatches 8/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Pat Fahy
- 4th - The Ferry Master 20/1, Jockey: Sean Quinlan, Trainer: Sandy Thomson
2020 - Cancelled
The Scottish Grand National was cancelled in 2020 because of restrictions introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time since 1946 that the Ayr showpiece had not been staged.
2019 - Takingrisks
Takingrisks maintained a remarkable family tradition when Nicky Richards saddled him to victory, 50 years after his father won the race with Playlord. The 25-1 outsider had a dramatic journey to the finish, nearly unseating Sean Quinlan at the first fence after being hampered in the air. He recovered well from the scare and gradually worked his way into contention. There was another anxious moment at the final fence when Takingrisks scraped over the obstacle. However, he stayed on dourly after the mistake to win by four lengths and complete the Richards family's half-century connection with the race.
- 1st - Takingrisks 25/1, Jockey: Sean Quinlan, Trainer: Nicky Richards
- 2nd - Crosspark 10/1, Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Caroline Bailey
- 3rd - Cloth Cap 9/1, Jockey: Richie McLernon, Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
- 4th - Blue Flight 25/1, Jockey: Callum Bewley, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
2018 - Joe Farrell
A most dramatic finish to the Scottish Grand National saw Joe Farrell narrowly hold off Ballyoptic. The 33-1 outsider had led approaching the final fence but made a slight error, allowing his well-backed rival to close rapidly. Adam Wedge kept Joe Farrell going strongly on the run-in, despite losing a hind shoe, and the pair held on by the narrowest of margins. The result gave Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis her first winner in Scotland, meanwhile Vicente’s attempt to complete a remarkable Scottish Grand National treble ended with a respectable, but ultimately insufficient, fifth-place finish.
- 1st - Joe Farrell 33/1, Jockey: Adam Wedge, Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
- 2nd - Ballyoptic 9/1, Jockey: Tom Bellamy, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 3rd - Vintage Clouds 12/1, Jockey: Danny Cook, Trainer: Sue Smith
2017 - Vicente
Vicente became the first horse since Androma in 1985 to win successive Scottish Grand Nationals. The Paul Nicholls-trained 9-1 joint-favourite fell at the first fence in the Aintree Grand National two weeks earlier but showed no ill effects from that tumble when returning to defend his Scottish crown. He travelled smoothly in midfield before moving into contention four fences from home. At this stage, Cogry surged clear down the home straight and appeared to have the race won, but Vicente produced a powerful late challenge which saw him reel in his fellow eight-year-old during the final few strides.
- 1st - Vicente 9/1J, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Cogry 18/1, Jockey: Jamie Bargary, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 3rd - Benbens 50/1, Jockey: Mr Zac Baker, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
2016
- 1st - Vicente (FR) 14/1, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Alvarado (IRE) 25/1, Jockey: Paul Moloney, Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
- 3rd - Seeyouatmidnight 14/1, Jockey: Steven Fox, Trainer: Sandy Thomson
2015
- 1st - Wayward Prince 25/1, Jockey: Robert Dunne, Trainer: Hilary Parrott
- 2nd - Goonyella (IRE) 16/1, Jockey: Jonathan Burke, Trainer: J T R Dreaper
- 3rd - Benbens (IRE) 33/1, Jockey: Jamie Bargary, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
2014
- 1st - Al Co (FR) 40/1, Jockey: Jamie Moore, Trainer: Peter Bowen
- 2nd - Godsmejudge (IRE) 16/1, Jockey: Aidan Coleman, Trainer: Alan King
- 3rd - Trustan Times (IRE) 10/1, Jockey: Wilson Renwick, Trainer: Tim Easterby