Scottish Grand National

The Scottish Grand National was established in 1867 and is run at Ayr Racecourse, Scotland each year in April as the feature event of the Scottish Grand National Festival. It is a Grade 3 Jump race, which means is obeys the classical rules of the handicap race, over four miles and 110 yards. Originally the race was conducted at Bogside Racecourse near the town of Irvine. However, in 1966, following the closure of the Bogside venue, it was moved to Ayr. The last horse to take home a Scottish Grand National Victory at Bogside WAS Robson-trained Brasher, ridden by J. Fitzgerald.

Horses competing at the Scottish Grand National often move on the run, or have already competed in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree. Iconic Jump race horse Red Rum is currently the only horse to emerge victorious from both the Scottish Grand National and the Grand National at Aintree within the same racing season.

Recent Winners of the Scottish Grand National:

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer

2010

Merigo

9

Timmy Murphy

Andrew Parker

2009

Hello Bud

11

Paddy Brennan

Nigel Twiston-Davies

2008

Iris De Balme

8

Charlie Huxley

Sean Curran

2007

Hot Weld

8

P.J. McDonald

Ferdy Murphy

2006

Run For Paddy

10

Carl Llewellyn

Carl Llewellyn

2005

Joes Edge

8

Keith Mercer

Ferdy Murphy

2004

Grey Abbey

10

Graham Lee

Howard Johnson

2003

Ryalux

10

Richard McGrath

Andy Crook

2002

Take Control

8

Ruby Walsh

Martin Pipe

2001

Gingembre

7

Andrew Thornton

Lavinia Taylor

2000

Paris Pike

8

Adrian Maguire

Ferdy Murphy

Scottish Grand National Odds and News

16 Apr 2011: Scottish Grand National Tips and Betting Preview

The racing focus turns to Ayr this weekend for the 145th running of the Scottish Grand National. Who will race into equine history and join the likes of Red Rum, Willsford and Little Polveir as winners of the four mile classic.

This year’s race will be run at 15:25 as the fourth race of the day on a good-soft track.

All odds are bought to you by Bet365 Bet365

1. Neptune Collonges. Odds: 30/1

Won the Argento Chase at Cheltenham before finishing mid field in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Has never raced over four miles.

2. Blazing Bailey. 22/1

Finished mid-field at Cheltenham last start and before that was a winner of two in a row in moderate grade.

3. Chicago Grey. 5/1

Was an impressive winner last start in the Cheltenham Novice Chase and deserves tag as favourite here. Will take some beating.

4. Ouzbeck. 27/1

French jumper comes into this race in moderate form but would need to improve out of sight to win here.

5. Beshabar. 8/1

Finished second last start behind favourite Chicago Grey. Is the winner of five from ten over the jumps and looks well suited here.

6.Minella Four Star. 14/1

Won last start by eleven lengths and looks to be reaching full fitness.

7. The Minack. 10/1

Has won five of eight career starts and looks to be a horse on the up. Only one seven year old has won this race in the last 20 years.

8. Fair Along. 20/1

Finished an unlucky 3rd in the Grade 2 Aon Chase before finishing 4th in a Cheltenham Handicap Chase. Will need to find improvement.

9. That’s Rhythm. 60/1

Seems to have put his best form behind him. Would be a boil over.

10. Always Right. 10/1

Has won two starts in a row and comes into this in career best form. Major hope.

11. Be There in Five. 30/1

Won by seven lengths at Kempton in March, however this looks to be a much tougher grade.

12. Poker De Sivola. 15/1

Was unable to finish this event last year when he was an 8/1 second favourite. Will need to improve to figure in the finish.

13. Gansey. 50/1

Has won on the Ayr track but looks suited to lower grades.

14. Roll Along. 60/1

This horse has finished more than 28 lengths off them at his last seven starts.

15. Gone To Lunch. 28/1

Finished second in this race last year and will be a player if he can re-capture that form.

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16. Ballyfitz. 50/1

Has finished second in his last two starts and should be nearing peak fitness.

17. Merigo 15/1

Last year’s winner who has won 3 from 5 at Ayr. May go close again.

18. Regal Heights. 44/1

Has been racing in top form but this represents a significant class rise.

19. Fredo. 36/1

Seven year old who is on the quick back up from the Cheltenham festival.

20. Heez A Steel. 66/1

Finished second at Ayr last start, but this is much tougher.

21. Iris De Balme. 99/1

Has not raced since March last year when it fell in the Midlands Grand National Handicap.

22. Neptune Equester. 30/1

Has been progressing through the grades nicely and is ready for this test.

23. Lothian Falcon. 45/1

Finished second by a head to Always Right last start and looks over the odds.

24. No Panic. 90/1

Has finished no closer than thirty lengths back in its last five starts.

25. Cold Mountain. 90/1

Faces a big step up in grade but was able to win over the four mile journey last start.

26. Morgan Be. 70/1

Has won five from six at Ayr but none in this grade.

27. Long Strand. 80/1

Rarely puts in a bad run, but is yet to prove itself against the top liners.

28. Bellflower Boy. 80/1

Has not missed the placing’s in last five outings.

29. Silent Cliché. 110/1

Has never won a race. Enough said.

30. Hot n Holy. 300/1

Has only completed three of its last seven races.

The bookmakers have singled out Chicago Grey and Beshabar as the two to beat in this race, but as always in Grand National races this are plenty of value runners. However we believe that Merigo can make it back to back wins while Lothian Falcon and The Minack are also good value.

visit Bet365 Bet365 now to get all the best odds on the Scottish Grand National.

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