Scottish Grand National 2025: Full Runner-by-Runner Guide and Verdict
Click Here for the 2025 Scottish Grand National Runners
With the 2025 Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr just days away, punters and racing fans are poring over the form books ahead of the fiercely competitive staying handicap. Below is a detailed guide to the leading contenders and the rest of the field.
1. Mr Incredible
A mercurial character formerly trained by Willie Mullins. He was the final withdrawal from last week’s Aintree Grand National, which came as little shock after being pulled up at Kelso in March. Went off just 7/1 for this race last year but refused to race – a behaviour he has since repeated. Unreliable and very difficult to support with any confidence.
2. High Class Hero
A novice chaser who races prominently and confirmed his early promise when winning a maiden at Punchestown in February, beating stablemate Loughglynn by 2¾ lengths. Looked as though he needed a greater stamina test when well-beaten in a Grade 3 at Thurles last time. Gets that test here and is one of the better-fancied runners from Closutton. Solid chance.
3. Henry’s Friend
Consistent and likeable type who landed a six-length win at Newbury in December. Returned from a break with a respectable eighth in the Ultima at Cheltenham, weakening late on. Proven on flatter tracks like Ayr and expected to come on for that run. Each-way shout.
4. Loughglynn
Won a Grade 2 novice at Limerick last season and returned to form when a closing second to High Class Hero last time. Meets that rival on 5 lb better terms and now steps into handicaps. Improving type but unproven on ground quicker than soft.
5. Our Power
A consistent stayer, placed in all three outings this season. However, was soundly beaten (26 lengths) by Katate Dori at Kempton. Suited by a strong-run handicap but may be anchored by his current mark of 143.
6. Olympic Man
Scored in a 15-runner maiden at Naas, showing battling qualities despite some sloppy jumping. That jumping could be tested to the limit over Ayr’s fences. Likely to struggle unless much improved in that department.
7. Macdermott
Narrowly beat Surrey Quest in this race last year off a low weight. Hasn’t hit the same heights since, but showed a glimmer of a return to form last time out when still in contention two out. Now 5 lb higher, but not dismissed lightly.
8. Famous Bridge
Crossed the line first in Haydock’s Grand National Trial before disqualification due to a non-performance-enhancing substance. Ran well at Cheltenham and should relish this trip. Would prefer softer ground but still one for the shortlist.
9. Captain Cody
Grade 2-winning hurdler who’s shown ability over fences. Unseated in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. Still learning his trade but best form has come in testing ground.
10. O’Moore Park
Lightly raced for his age, but has shaped better with each run this season. Decent third in the Golden Miller at Cheltenham. This longer trip could stretch his stamina, though.
11. Surrey Quest
Went agonisingly close in this race last year, finishing a nose behind Macdermott. Solid third in the Edinburgh National last time and comes here fresh. Leading contender for the home team.
12. Apple Away
Front-running mare who won at Perth last season. Looked a strong stayer in the making, though pulled up in the Midlands National last time after several errors. Can bounce back on better ground.
13. Chosen Witness
Won at this meeting over hurdles last year and has shaped well in all three chase starts this term. Still going well when unseating in a Grade 2 last time. Very well backed in recent days and looks potentially well treated off 137. Big danger.
14. Spanish Harlem
Well-beaten fourth in a listed handicap last time but ran in this race last year off a higher mark and finished sixth despite poor jumping. Capable if putting in a clean round.
15. Whistle Stop Tour
Progressive earlier this season, winning twice at Kelso and Ayr. Pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham, though badly hampered early. Well regarded and expected to improve for this longer trip. Don’t rule out a resurgence.
16. A Penny A Hundred
Won a mares’ chase in the autumn but has been patchy since. Back up in trip, which should suit, but this level may be a step too far. One of the less likely contenders from the Mullins yard.
17. Hasthing
Progressive gelding who won twice during the winter. In third and running on empty when falling late in the National Hunt Chase. Could go well if recovered from that tumble.
18. Rock My Way
Improved when blinkers were applied, finishing second to Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham. May still be on the up and worth a look on his first try in open company.
19. Judicieuse Allen
Dual winner earlier this season but has found listed company too tough on her last two runs. Stamina a concern at this trip and she has something to prove.
20. Guard Your Dreams
Quickly thrown into the deep end over fences. Fell at the first in the Ultima and has yet to convince as a stayer. Others preferred.
21. Sail Away
Big, strong chaser who ran well at Warwick last time. Winner at this meeting two years ago. Has issues (notably bleeding and wind ops) but dangerous if all goes right.
22. Wiseguy
Decent winner at Newbury in November but well held twice since. First try at this kind of distance. Needs to bounce back.
23. Flash de Touzaine
Third in this last year and returned to form with a clear-cut win in a veterans’ chase at Limerick. Proven stamina and a lively outsider with experience on his side.
24. Walking On Air
Fell when in control at Doncaster and didn’t get the clearest run in the Kim Muir. Talented on his day, but risky.
25. Theformismighty
Scored impressively at Southwell in December, winning by 10 lengths, before going down narrowly at Wetherby in February in a novice handicap, beaten just a head. However, he was well beaten at Sandown last month and now faces a major step up in trip. Stamina is a question mark, and he has plenty to prove at this level.
26. The Kniphand
Notched novice wins at Southwell and Doncaster during the autumn, including an emphatic 18-length success. Bounced back from a modest run on heavy ground to finish a solid second in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster, keeping on strongly behind Moroder. Stamina should not be an issue and this test looks right up his street. Merits serious consideration.
27. Your Own Story
Runner-up in the Borders National and again filled the same spot at Kelso behind Cadell last time, showing a willing attitude under pressure. A genuine front-runner with proven staying credentials, he carries a light weight and has the heart for a battle. Dangerous to ignore.
28. Grozni
A dual-purpose type who has won over hurdles and been competitive over fences this season. Finished midfield in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, running to a respectable level. However, he may find this extreme test stretching his stamina. Minor honours might be his ceiling.
29. Dom of Mary
Eighth in the last two renewals of the Kim Muir, beaten 19½ lengths in the latest. Rarely finds a great deal off the bridle and tends to get outpaced when the race heats up. Difficult to fancy in a field this deep and competitive.
30. Snipe
Lacks size but makes up for it with determination. Finished a decent third to The Doyen Chief at Warwick last time out and shapes as though he’ll benefit from this longer trip. Often held up, which brings a degree of risk in a large field where luck in running will be crucial. Could outrun his odds if everything falls into place.
31. Klarc Kent
Massive outsider when finishing an eye-catching fourth in this race last year at 50/1. Has failed to threaten in five starts since but did show a flicker of form in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. Unfortunately, he’s 7 lb out of the handicap at present, which leaves him with a mountain to climb unless the weights rise.
32. Magna Sam
Stout stayer who returned to winning ways in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh, taking the race comfortably in first-time cheekpieces. Finished a solid fifth in this event last year and has obvious claims if continuing his resurgence. Age (11) is a potential drawback, as no horse that age has won this since 2015, but his enthusiasm hasn’t waned.
33. Brandt
Consistent hold-up performer who finally got his head in front when landing a Leopardstown handicap over 3½ miles, staying on powerfully to score by nearly three lengths. The handicapper has reacted harshly, however, and he faces a daunting task from this revised mark. Still, connections know how to ready one for the big stage, and a strong late run wouldn’t surprise.
Verdict
It’s shaping up to be a thrilling renewal, and with recent trends favouring novices, Chosen Witness is understandably well backed. Willie Mullins’ charge has shown serious promise over fences and appears to be thrown in off a mark of 137.
However, High Class Hero gets the nod. He beat Loughglynn convincingly and, despite being 5 lb worse off, gives the impression a searching stamina test will bring out the best in him.
Of the British challenge, Surrey Quest is hard to ignore following his narrow second here last year, while Whistle Stop Tour, Hasthing, and Apple Away all appeal as potential improvers.
