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Sine Nomine Connections Eye Scottish Grand National After Cheltenham Misfortune
Mare’s connections remain undeterred after disrupted Festival run and consider Ayr redemption mission
Trainer Fiona Needham is weighing up a bold tilt at the 2025 Coral Scottish Grand National with Sine Nomine, after the talented mare endured yet another bout of misfortune at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
The nine-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign so far, failing to complete in all three starts since her memorable victory in the St. James’s Place Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham in 2024. But connections are refusing to lose faith, and the four-mile test at Ayr on Saturday, 12 April is now under serious consideration for her next major assignment.
A Season of Setbacks for a Festival Heroine
Sine Nomine returned to action this term with high hopes, having firmly announced her talent with a dominant Cheltenham win last spring. However, her 2024/25 campaign has been anything but straightforward.
She made her seasonal reappearance after a 257-day break in a Listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen, where she unseated early on. Her next outing, in the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last year, saw her travelling well before falling two out when staying on into contention.
Her luck failed to turn at the 2025 Festival, where she lined up in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup — a race that looked tailor-made for her. But it quickly became apparent the stars weren’t aligning. She was kicked at the beginning of the contest, missed the break due to the standing start, and was hampered late on before being pulled up after the second-last.
“It was just one of those days where everything went against her,” said Needham.
“She was kicked at the start and then missed the break, and by the time she started to find a rhythm she got hampered again. It was frustrating, but we know how much ability she has.”
Ayr Ambitions: A National Bid on the Cards?
Despite the run of bad luck, Sine Nomine’s team are refusing to be disheartened. With her stamina proven and her jumping ability clear from previous wins in the amateur and hunter chase sphere, she’s now being considered for a crack at the Scottish Grand National, a race that has proven friendly to bold, front-running mares in the past.
She has been entered at Stratford this Saturday, but that appearance remains ground dependent, and all eyes are now on whether Ayr could become the stage for her spring redemption.
“She’s come out of Cheltenham well, all things considered,” added Needham.
“She’s still a very capable mare and the Scottish National could suit her – it’s a long, galloping track and a stamina test, which plays to her strengths.”
A decision on her next outing is expected soon, but should she take her place in the line-up at Ayr, Sine Nomine would be one of the few mares in the race — and among the more intriguing each-way contenders, especially if she gets decent ground.
Proven Class, Untapped Potential
While her 2024/25 campaign has lacked results, it’s important not to underestimate what Sine Nomine has already achieved. Her Cheltenham Festival victory in 2024 was a commanding performance against top amateur competition, and her ability to see out a trip and jump at speed remains undisputed.
Should she line up at Ayr, she would likely carry a low weight, and her previous experience at prestigious festivals would stand her in good stead amid the 34-runner cavalry charge that typifies the Scottish Grand National.
Looking Ahead
The final decision on Sine Nomine’s participation in Ayr’s showpiece will depend on how she works at home and, crucially, the ground conditions in the lead-up to the race. But Fiona Needham and her team are optimistic that their star mare’s fortunes may be about to take a turn for the better.
“It’s been a tough season, but she’s a hardy, honest horse and we still believe there’s a big day in her yet,” said Needham.
Should that day arrive at Ayr on 12 April, it would mark a remarkable comeback for a mare who has been more unlucky than unsuccessful this season — and a victory that would be welcomed warmly by racing fans across Britain.
📌 Sine Nomine – Potential Scottish Grand National Contender
- Trainer: Fiona Needham
- Age: 9
- Notable Win: St. James’s Place Hunters’ Chase (Cheltenham, 2024)
- Possible Target: Coral Scottish Grand National (Ayr, Saturday 12 April)
- Strengths: Proven stamina, Cheltenham pedigree, tenacious front-runner
- Concerns: Recent jumping mishaps, needs clean run
Watch this space – if Sine Nomine lines up at Ayr, she may just be the forgotten Festival winner poised to strike back in style.
