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Willie Mullins Plans Ayr Invasion with 21 Entries on Scottish Grand National Day
Champion trainer eyes back-to-back glory as Cheltenham stars target big prizes in Ayr spring showdown
Willie Mullins is set to unleash a formidable 21-strong team at Ayr Racecourse for Scottish Grand National Day, in a bold attempt to dominate proceedings and reaffirm his stranglehold on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The all-conquering Irish trainer, who claimed the British Trainers’ Championship in 2023, returns to Ayr with renewed ambition, sending a mix of proven Festival stars and exciting novices in pursuit of more cross-border success. With 13 entries in the £200,000 Coral Scottish Grand National alone, Mullins looks primed to play a central role in this year’s renewal of Scotland’s biggest jumps race on Saturday, 12 April.
Macdermott Leads Scottish Grand National Assault
Among Mullins’ powerful hand is Macdermott, the defending Scottish Grand National champion, who delivered a career-best when storming to victory in last year’s race under Paul Townend. That win helped seal Mullins’ dramatic late-season capture of the British title and he now bids to become the first back-to-back winner since Androma in 1985.
Macdermott is joined by a host of potential stayers including:
- Kilcruit – the former Grade 1 bumper winner, who recently ran a solid third behind Grand National contender Hewick, looks to be improving with every staying trip.
- Klarc Kent and Loughglynn – two unexposed stayers capable of further progress over four miles.
- Captain Cody, Quai De Bourbon, and Olympic Man – all eye-catching entries from the Closutton yard with form in deep staying handicaps.
Mullins’ depth of talent gives him a strong chance of retaining the Scottish Grand National crown, a race that has traditionally proved fertile ground for Irish challengers.
Kargese Headlines Scottish Champion Hurdle Attack
While Mullins boasts depth in the Scottish Grand National, his strongest weapon on the card may be Kargese, the exciting four-year-old mare who blew away her rivals in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Owned by Kenny Alexander, Kargese was described by Mullins as “exceptional” after her win in one of the most competitive handicaps of the Festival. She is now being strongly considered for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, a race the trainer has eyed as her next potential target.
“I’ll celebrate her Cheltenham win first,” Mullins said, “and then we’ll make a decision. But she came out of the race really well and is clearly a very talented filly.”
Kargese will face stiff competition if she heads north, but she could once again carry plenty of confidence — and money — into the race as one of the weekend’s hottest favourites.
Absurde Could Return to Scene of Festival Glory
Also under consideration for Ayr is Absurde, the 2024 County Hurdle winner, who ran a creditable third behind Kargese at Cheltenham this year.
After his Festival heroics, Absurde made headlines globally when finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup, showcasing his versatility and durability. Mullins has previously used the Scottish Champion Hurdle as a platform for Festival winners, and Absurde could be primed for a big spring run before a possible return to Australia later this year.
Mullins’ Full Scottish Grand National Entry List
Willie Mullins has left in the following 13 horses for the Coral Scottish Grand National (subject to declarations):
- Macdermott – Last year’s winner; major contender once more
- Kilcruit – Classy type with stamina to prove but plenty of upside
- Klarc Kent – Progressive staying novice
- Captain Cody – Improving handicapper
- Chosen Witness – Lightly raced, could be a dark horse
- High Class Hero – Bumper form suggests potential
- Judicieuse Allen – French import adapting well
- Loughglynn – Interesting stamina prospect
- O’Moore Park – Stamina-laden hurdler turned chaser
- Olympic Man – Has run well in staying chases in Ireland
- Quai De Bourbon – Lightly raced, open to improvement
- Spanish Harlem – Grade 1 hurdle form; staying ability to prove
- A Penny A Hundred – Unexposed type with long-distance claims
Mullins and the British Jumps Scene: The Domination Continues
Willie Mullins’ growing presence in British racing has become one of the sport’s biggest storylines. His Cheltenham Festival domination, his growing number of owners on both sides of the Irish Sea, and his willingness to travel have seen him reshape the traditional balance of power in National Hunt racing.
The fact that he’s prepared to unleash a 21-runner team at Ayr is a clear statement of intent — not just to win big races, but to compete for the British Trainers’ title once again.
With strong entries across the card, Mullins could walk away from Scotland with another haul of big-race trophies — and perhaps set the tone for another Anglo-Irish battle for supremacy as the jumps season reaches its crescendo.
🏇 Scottish Grand National Day 2025 – Key Information
📍 Venue: Ayr Racecourse
📅 Date: Saturday, 12 April 2025
🏆 Feature Race: Coral Scottish Grand National (4 miles, £200,000 prize fund)
💫 Star Runners to Watch: Macdermott, Kargese, Kilcruit, Absurde
If the entries are anything to go by, Willie Mullins isn’t just bringing an army to Ayr — he’s bringing a mission, and British trainers had better brace themselves.
