With the English Grand National safely in the bag, the all-conquering Willie Mullins headed to Ayr with the British Trainers’ Championship firmly in his sights. Mr Incredible headed up the Mullins sextet, having only made it as far as halfway at Aintree the previous week, with the well-handicapped Spanish Harlem and unexposed Macdermott also looking to boast solid claims.
Lucinda Russell’s runaway Edinburgh National winner Inis Oirr flew the flag for the home team, whilst the best-supported English runners were Jamie Snowden’s Git Maker, who arrived on the back of an excellent second in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, and Mr Vango who finished third in the National Hunt Chase, and was propelled into outright favouritism by a flood of late money.
Result
- 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
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £112,540
- 2nd – £42,400
- 3rd – £21,220
- 4th – £10,600
- 5th – £5,320
- 6th – £2,660
- 7th – £1,320
- 6th – £680
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £19.20
- Tote Places – 1st – £4.60, 2nd – £6.20, 3rd – £2.60
- Exacta – £731.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £350.59
- Trifecta – £9,321.50
- Tricast – £3,142.27
Recap
Seemingly intent on making this a thorough test, the well-supported Mr Vango moved straight into the lead under Ben Jones, tracked through by Whistleinthedark. The enigmatic Mr Incredible quickly produced another infamous display – losing lengths at the start before pulling himself up completely before the first fence. Stablemate We’llhavewan departed at the first, in what was a less than ideal start for the Mullins squadron.
Mr Vango continued to lead throughout the first circuit, Whistleinthedark helping to push the pace, Classic Chase winner My Silver Lining obtaining a nice position against the inside rail, and the relatively inexperienced Macdermott kept of trouble by Danny Mullins on the outside.
Moving into the back straight second time around, Mr Vango continued to make the running. Amongst those creeping into contention from further back were Git Maker, Spanish Harlem, and Surrey Quest. Midlands Grand National winner Beauport, Elvis Mail, and topweight Stay Away Fay sending out early alarm signals, and Inis Oirr departing at the fourteenth.
No let up in the pace as they approached the final five fences, with a dozen in contention as they turned for home. Mr Vango cracked on the final bend as Whistleinthedark and Ballygrifincottage swept around his outside. However, two runners coming from a little further back would fight out the finish.
Macdermott hit the front over the third last and looked set to forge clear. Surrey Quest had other ideas, storming home up the far rail to engage in a hammer and tongs battle with Macdermott up the run-in but Macdermott was on top by a nose at the line. Git Maker stayed on well for third, with Klarc Kent, Ontheropes, and Spanish Harlem seeing Mullins saddle four of the first six home.
It was a first Irish-trained winner of the Scottish Grand National in 155 years, and a huge result for Willie Mullins, who looked to have one hand on the British Trainers’ Championship thanks to the £131,1200 collected by his runners.
Runners
- 1. Stay Away Fay – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 2. Mr Incredible – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins
- 3. Elvis Mail – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Nick Alexander, Jockey: Bruce Lynn
- 4. Beauport – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Jordan Nailor
- 5. Ontheropes – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Brian Hayes
- 6. Spanish Harlem – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 7. Gold Cup Bailly – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Stuart Crawford, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 8. Iron Bridge – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- 9. Whistleinthedark – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Laura Morgan, Jockey: Danny McMenamin
- 10. Ballygriffincottage – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 11. Macdermott – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 12. Tommie Beau – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Seamus Mullins, Jockey: Micheal Nolan
- 13. Broken Halo – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Bryony Frost
- 14. Mr Vango – SP: 4/1F, Trainer: Mrs Sara Bradstock, Jockey: Ben Jones
- 15. Autonomous Cloud – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Fergal O’Brien, Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- 16. Anglers Crag – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Brian Ellison, Jockey: Henry Brooke
- 17. Inis Oirr – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Derek Fox
- 18. My Silver Lining – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Emma Lavelle, Jockey: James Best
- 19. Git Maker – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Jamie Snowden, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- 20. Surrey Quest – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Toby Lawes Jockey: Kevin Brogan
- 21. Klarc Kent – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
- 22. Whacker Clan – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 23. Egbert – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Brendan Powell
- 24. Punitive – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Peter Bowen Jockey: William Maggs
- 25. Secret Reprieve – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Evan Williams, Jockey: James Turner
- 26. We’llhavewan – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Kieran Callaghan
Non Runners
All ran.