The Scottish Grand National at Ayr takes place just a week after the Aintree equivalent. Although fewer eyes will be drawn, the race is still steeped in history, and provided a backdrop to an epic trainers’ title race last season.
21 runners have been declared for the 2026 renewal. GG tipster Joe Napier previews the staying contest and gives his verdict.
2026 Scottish Grand National Runners
The Kim Muir form from the Cheltenham Festival will be given a strong run out here. The winner, Ask Brewster, and runner-up, Road To Home, are up 7lb and 6lb in the handicap respectively. That may prove too much for both to defy, though Willie Mullins’ charge may reverse that form. Fourth-placed Kim Roque may prove a bigger danger than both though, being down 1lb in the handicap despite seeing out his ace well eight lengths back. Joseph O’Brien brought Jordans along steadily to be third at Aintree, and this six-year-old could prove a similar type.
King Of Answers and Quebecois will seek to frank other Cheltenham pieces of form. The former was runner-up in the National Hunt Chase, though may have a tall order off a high weight here. Quebecois is 1lb higher in the handicap, but was third in a red hot edition of the Ultima Handicap Chase. Harry Cobden chooses him out of the Paul Nicholls-trained pair, though Midlands National winner Isaac Des Obeaux should make his presence felt.
Both Blaze The Way and Promontory should give smaller Irish stables a good run for their money. Promontory would be the pick of the duo, winning the Dublin National with such authority last time out. That is a much lower class of race than this, but it was the nine-year-old’s first start beyond 3m and he is incredibly lightly-raced for his age.
Montregard also looks to be a key runner. He goes well fresh, so a nine-week break since he last ran is no issue. He stayed strongly over 3m at Ascot that day and is enjoying more good days than bad at present. A 4lb rise for that success does not look steep and Tom Lacey’s yard are in good form. The step up to 4m may even induce further improvement from the seven-year-old.
2026 Scottish Grand National Racecard
Awaiting racecard…
2026 Scottish Grand National Trends
Weekend Watch tipster Dave Young has analysed all of the trends in his dedicated article here. You can see the most important trends summed up below too.
2026 Scottish Grand National Tips
He can be hit or miss at times, but Montregard stays well over 3m and looks progressive. Younger horses have trended well in this race in recent years and Tom Lacey’s seven-year-old looks the right type to back. King Of Answers is similar, but harshly treated in the handicap now and Irish challengers Promontory and Kim Roque are feared most.
- Montregard
- Promontory
- Kim Roque
FAQs
When and where is the Scottish Grand National run?
The Scottish Grand National will take place at Ayr racecourse on Saturday 18 April, 2026 at 3.35pm.
How can I watch the Scottish Grand National on Saturday?
The Scottish Grand National is shown live on ITV at 3.35pm on Saturday.
When were the Scottish Grand National tips published?
The tips for the Scottish Grand National were published at 2.03pm on Thursday 16 April.
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