The Scottish Grand National is nearly here, and Ayr is getting ready to welcome one of the biggest days in the jumping calendar.
On Saturday 12th April, a bumper crowd will watch as a packed field of stayers tackles four miles and 27 fences in the hunt for glory, with punters across the country trying to pick the one that’ll get the job done.
It’s a race that’s thrown up surprises, favourites, fallers and fairy-tale finishes — and this year looks no different.
So, which horses are lining up in 2025? The final field is packed with familiar names and a few rising stars.
Willie Mullins is back with a strong hand, Joe Tizzard has a lively contender in Rock My Way, and there are plenty of others who could land a shock.
We’ve rounded up the key runners, the talking points, and everything you need to know before they go to post.
Scottish National – Which Horses Are Running?
23 runners have been declared for the Coral Scottish Grand National, which takes place on Saturday, April 12th at 3.35pm.
| Number | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Chosen Witness | S F O’Keeffe | W P Mullins | 15/2 |
| 4 | Olympic Man | Mr P W Mullins | W P Mullins | 8/1 |
| 5 | Macdermott | D E Mullins | W P Mullins | 9/1 |
| 8 | Surrey Quest | K Brogan | T Lawes | 9/1 |
| 12 | Rock My Way | Brendan Powell | J Tizzard | 10/1 |
| 2 | Henry’s Friend | Ben Jones | B Pauling | 12/1 |
| 7 | Captain Cody | H Cobden | W P Mullins | 12/1 |
| 16 | Walking On Air | R P McLernon | Faye Bramley | 12/1 |
| 10 | Spanish Harlem | B Hayes | W P Mullins | 9/1 |
| 11 | Hasthing | Jonjo O’Neill Jr. | J & A O’Neill | 12/1 |
| 17 | The Kniphand | Sam Twiston-Davies | N A Twiston-Davies | 10/1 |
| 13 | Sail Away | Harry Skelton | D Skelton | 14/1 |
| 21 | Klarc Kent | J J Burke | W P Mullins | 22/1 |
| 22 | Magna Sam | David Noonan | A Ralph | 22/1 |
| 15 | Flash De Touzaine | S W Flanagan | Miss Doyle | 22/1 |
| 6 | Famous Bridge | Sean Quinlan | N G Richards | 25/1 |
| 14 | Wiseguy | N de Boinville | N J Henderson | 25/1 |
| 23 | Brandt | S Bowen | C Collins | 25/1 |
| 3 | Our Power | Dylan Johnston | S Thomas | 33/1 |
| 20 | Snipe | Harry Atkins | D Skelton | 33/1 |
| 18 | Grozni | Callum Pritchard | James Owen | 50/1 |
| 19 | Dom Of Mary | Caoilin Quinn | D G Bridgwater | 50/1 |
| 1 | Mr Incredible | Alice Stevens | A M Thomson | 50/1 |
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How Handicap Weights Work
The Scottish Grand National, like many major races, is a handicap event.
This means that each horse is assigned a weight to carry based on its official rating (OR), which reflects its past performances and ability.
The goal of handicapping is to level the playing field, giving each horse a fair chance to win.
The top-rated horses carry the heaviest weights, while those with lower ratings are given lighter loads.
For example, Mr Incredible, trained by Sandy Thomson, carries the top weight of 12 stone due to his high rating of 152.
Weights play a crucial role in determining a horse’s chances. Historically, horses carrying less than 11 stone have performed better in this race, as stamina is key over the demanding four-mile distance.
This year, several runners fall within this favourable weight range, making them strong contenders.
The Contenders
Let’s look at the runners and riders for Saturday’s race.
Willie Mullins dominates the field with six entries, including some of the leading contenders.
Here are some notable names:
Chosen Witness (Favourite)
Chosen Witness has emerged as the favourite for this year’s race. Although inexperienced over fences with just three chase starts under his belt, he showed promise when competing in Grade 2 company earlier this season.
His handicap mark of 137 appears lenient, and he carries 11 stone 1 pound—well within the ideal range for past winners.
However, his lack of experience could be a concern in such a grueling test.
Macdermott
Last year’s winner returns to defend his title under Danny Mullins.
Although he hasn’t been in top form recently, his familiarity with this race and proven stamina make him an intriguing prospect.
He carries just 5 pounds more than last year’s winning weight.
Rock My Way
A runner-up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month, Rock My Way is stepping up to four miles for only the second time.
His performance at Cheltenham suggests he has the stamina required for this challenge.
At seven years old and carrying 10 stone 11 pounds, he fits many of the trends associated with past winners.
Surrey Quest
Surrey Quest came agonisingly close last year, losing by just a nose. He returns with a slightly higher weight but has shown consistent form this season.
His ability to battle through tough conditions makes him one to watch.
Olympic Man
Another Mullins-trained runner, Olympic Man won his last outing over fences but remains unproven over extreme distances like this one.
While his jumping has been inconsistent at times, he carries a manageable weight of 11 stone 6 pounds and could surprise.
The Kniphand
Nigel Twiston-Davies knows how to prepare a horse for this race, he’s won it three times before, and The Kniphand looks like an improving contender.
He finished second in Doncaster’s Grimthorpe Chase last time out and carries just 10 stone 5 pounds.
Outsiders With Potential
While favourites often attract attention, long shots can deliver surprises in races like this. Here are some outsiders worth considering:
Brandt: Carrying bottom weight of 10 stone 2 pounds and ridden by Sean Bowen, Brandt could benefit from his light load and has shown promise in recent runs.
Spanish Harlem: Despite being winless over fences so far, Spanish Harlem was staying on strongly when sixth last year and is now lower in the handicap.
Magna Sam: A thorough stayer who won Musselburgh’s Edinburgh National earlier this season. If the weights rise significantly before Saturday, Magna Sam could become more competitive.
What To Expect On Race Day
The Scottish Grand National is not just about speed; it’s a test of stamina and jumping ability over 27 fences.
Horses that have demonstrated endurance in long-distance races tend to fare better here.
Additionally, ground conditions play a significant role; softer ground can favour horses with proven staying power.
Trends:
- Most winners are aged nine or younger
- Horses carrying less than 11 stone tend to do better
- Runners that have placed or won their last race often perform well
Which Horses To Pick?
The Scottish Grand National is always unpredictable; a mix of strategy from trainers and sheer determination from horses makes it one of racing’s most exciting spectacles.
Whether you’re backing favourites like Chosen Witness or taking a punt on outsiders like Brandt or Spanish Harlem, Saturday promises drama and excitement at Ayr.
So grab your betting slip and get ready for an afternoon of thrilling action.
Who knows? You might just pick this year’s winner!
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