This year marks exactly 50 since Red Rum completed a memorable English-Scottish Grand National double. While I Am Maximus may not be seeking the same double, his trainer Willie Mullins certainly will be, as we preview the Scottish version and favourites below.
MACDERMOTT
(Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins)
His trainer is taking a tilt at a first British Trainers’ Championship very seriously, with his recent novice chase winner at the head of the betting and head of his six-strong charge at the Scottish National. Macdermott would not have been towards the front of Irish racing’s consciousness even in March, despite his trainer’s prowess, but his claims have become substantially more obvious since a ready handicap success at Fairyhouse on April 1st.
He had looked set to challenge when falling in a novice handicap over 2m1½f two starts back, but bolted in by 12 lengths when upped to 3m½f latest. He is 16lb higher on his first British start and only one six-year-old, Earth Summit in 1994, has ever won this race, but he has to be respected given connections and his potential as a stayer now beginning to be tapped.
MR INCREDIBLE
(Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins)
The Aintree National has proved an unlucky race for Mr Incredible, both of whose unseats had a shade of misfortune attached to them in the past two renewals. However, unlike his unshipping at the Canal Turn in 2023, after which he would already have had a tough race, he let Brian Hayes loose at the Chair this season after bumping into the already stumbling Mahler Mission.
The issue with his recent performances is that he keeps climbing the weights despite close calls and incompletions. His runner-up effort in the Midlands National has seen him suffer another 3lb rise, off which it will only be the more difficult to win this against a stronger field. However, he is unlikely to keep meeting bad luck and should not be far away.
ANGLERS CRAG
(Brian Ellison/Henry Brooke)
Changing trainers prompted a sensational run of form nine-year-old Anglers Crag. Before his switch of yard, he had slipped to a mark of 106 over fences for David Pipe, but the work of Brian Ellison has seen him remain unbeaten under his new stewardship, winning all four of his races across four different courses.
Wins on good to soft ground at Carlisle, Market Rasen and Musselburgh preceded a battling success in the 4m1½f Eider Chase at Newcastle on heavy. Suddenly, he has proven he has immense reserves of stamina, with that success coming despite a shuddering late jumping error. He will need to improve yet again off 8lb higher though, especially against this level of opposition.
GIT MAKER
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
But for bumping into the now Grade 1-winning novice chaser Inothewayurthinkin, Git Maker would have recorded an 18-length success in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. That alone makes a 1lb rise in the weights seem very lenient and his overall profile over fences is progressive.
He had run a poor race on good ground at Ascot prior, so as long as the ground remains on the slow side, there is reason to believe the trip is within his range. However, Cheltenham was a gruelling race for him and he would have been primed for that, so whether he can maintain that level on this flatter track is debatable.
THE FIELD
22 others will ensure this is a serious race, with the relatively cosy successes of Win My Wings and Kitty’s Light unlikely to be replicated in this renewal.
Stay Away Fay could be ideally suited by this step up to 4m with stamina his evident strong suit. His mark will be difficult to defy, but novices have a decent record in the race, which also bodes well for game National Hunt Chase third Mr Vango, who won the Devon National by 60 lengths on his penultimate start.
Inis Oirr won the Edinburgh National very easily on his most recent effort too, but is up a stone here, though Beauport is only 5lb higher despite visiting the entirety of Uttoxeter in his Midlands National victory. Broken Halo also bounced back to success with his win at Taunton last time.
Willie Mullins’ battalions are backed up by maidens Klarc Kent and Spanish Harlem, the latter of whom would be very interesting if taking to this new trip. We’llhavewan and Ontheropes are less fancied on recent efforts with the British handicapper showing little sympathy.
Both My Silver Lining and Whacker Clan have been consistent in races of this nature throughout the season, while Surrey Quest and Elvis Mail are interesting outsiders, the former having run his best race over 3m2f on soft two starts back, and the latter as he usually comes good around this time of year.
VERDICT
Although only one six-year-old has won this race, Willie Mullins’ pair of youngsters in MACDERMOTT and Spanish Harlem top the list. The selection has proven handicap form over 3m and beyond which is what sways the vote in his favour, as he may relish this further trip too, but Spanish Harlem’s novice form has a more than respectable look to it and he would not be too harshly treated if taking to this. Git Maker would be a serious danger if over his Cheltenham Festival exertions, while Mr Vango may struggle to dominate this, but is clearly a stayer on the upgrade.
- Macdermott
- Spanish Harlem
- Git Maker
