Scotland’s biggest day of horse racing arrives on Saturday. Ayr‘s Scottish Grand National card features the 21-runner marathon itself among seven races in all.
GG tipster Joe Napier has four best bets on the card. They include a horse backed to complete a famous double for his owner in the big race.
Ayr Racing Tips (Saturday 18 April 2026)
The seven-race card at Ayr has the Scottish Grand National as its highlight, but there is quality throughout the meeting.
1.10 Ayr – Calico (1pt e/w – 8/1)
The fact Sans Bruit failed to deliver at his beloved Aintree has to be seen as a negative. Even though three of his eight rivals are wrong at the weights, he is an opposable favourite. The best of these at this trip and the handicap may still prove to be Calico. The ten-year-old has been better than ever this campaign, winning at Cheltenham and Ascot prior to Christmas. That latter effort saw him beat Grand Annual winner Martator, who was competing off his Cheltenham winning mark that day. Soaring to a career-high mark of 154, he finished a gallant fourth in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. He did not finish far behind eventual Champion Chase runner-up Libberty Hunter that day. Subsequently 11th in the Grand Annual himself, he is forgiven that run on good ground. A touch of cut is possibly preferable nowadays and he is back down 2lb in the handicap. That leaves him just 2lb above his Ascot winning mark.
1.45 Ayr – Kdeux Saint Fray (1pt win – 13/2)
It is far too early to give up on Kdeux Saint Fray, especially as he returns to 3m here. Anthony Honeyball’s charge has progressed this season, winning a Cheltenham novice handicap chase ni November. He has since remained competitive, including when third in Kempton’s Grade 3 Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase in February. That was strong company for a novice to keep and he was only beaten two-and-a-half lengths. The winner nearly followed up at Aintree last weekend and the selections’s 12th in the novices’ handicap at Cheltenham is easy to overlook. Back down 2lb, and going back up to 3m, he should have more to offer.
3.35 Ayr – Montregard (1pt e/w – 9/1)
A young progressive chaser has been preferable in the Scottish Grand National in recent seasons. There is no shortage of them in the 2026 line-up, but the best may prove to be Montregard for Tom Lacey. He had too many off days for comfort in 2025, pulling up on three of his five starts. However, he seems to have turned a corner recently, running well four times in his last five. Those efforts include three handicap wins, beginning this season with a win at Ascot. After a blip at Kempton, he was second to talented novice The Jukebox Kid at Ascot in January, then won again at the Berkshire venue when claiming the Swinley Handicap Chase under Jonathan Burke. That victory saw him stay on all the way to the finish over 3m. His wins this campaign have come at Ascot, but he has twice won left-handed in the past. As such, he fits the modern bill for a Scottish National horse, and is only up 4lb for his latest success.
4.15 Ayr – Apache Tribe (2pt win – 13/8)
Although he faces some rivals with strong form, notably West Hill Verde, Apache Tribe looked smart when winning here in February. Trained by Noel Kelly at the time, he strode clear to win by 13 lengths on his hurdling debut. That form is nothing special, but he barely came off the bridle under his amateur jockey. He also got off the mark in bumpers by 16 lengths, so knows how to put distance between his rivals. Since his maiden success, he has switched to Gordon Elliott, who has a 35% strike rate here. In the meantime, he had been an intended runner in the Albert Bartlett before a setback, so sights had already been set high. They are lowered here, but that should ensure he maintains his unbeaten start to hurdling.
Ayr Scottish Grand National Day Tips – Saturday April
1.10 Ayr – Calico (1pt e/w – 8/1)
1.45 Ayr – Kdeux Saint Fray (1pt win – 13/2)
3.35 Ayr – Montregard (1pt e/w – 9/1)
4.15 Ayr – Apache Tribe (2pt win – 13/8)
Apache TribeAyr Scottish Grand National Day Tips – Saturday 18 April
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Ayr – first race 13:10
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s racing tips?
Joe Napier provides tips for Ayr’s Scottish Grand National card on Saturday 18 April.
When were Saturday’s tips for Ayr published?
GG’s Ayr tips for Saturday 18 April were published at 2pm on Friday 17 April.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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