2026 Scottish Grand National: Date, Runners, History and Everything You Need to Know
The Scottish Grand National is one of those races that seems to demand a place on every racing fan’s calendar. A marathon in every sense, it’s a test of stamina, skill and a touch of madness, held on the sweeping turf of Ayr racecourse. When the field thunders off over four miles and 27 fences, it isn’t just horses that are put through the wringer – punters up and down the country are left with their nerves in tatters too.
For anyone looking ahead to 2026 and already plotting their flutter, it’s worth noting that leading UK bookmaker Ladbrokes have rolled out their new customer offer of Bet £5 Get £20 in free bets. Given the unpredictability of this great Scottish spectacle, that sort of safety net can feel less like a marketing promotion and more like an emotional support blanket.
So, let’s dive into everything you need to know about next year’s race: from its date and venue to the colourful history that makes it such an enduring highlight of the National Hunt calendar.
When is the 2026 Scottish Grand National?
The race itself is due to be staged on Saturday 18th April 2026. Mark it down, circle it on your calendar, or tattoo it across your forearm if you must – because this is the day when Ayr comes alive with the biggest prize in Scottish racing.
The event is part of Ayr’s two-day Scottish Grand National Festival, a gathering that brings together punters, trainers, owners and anyone who enjoys the glorious chaos of National Hunt racing.
Where is the Scottish Grand National Held?
The home of the Scottish National is Ayr, the jewel of Scottish racing. Sitting on the south-west coast, Ayr racecourse is no ordinary venue. Racing at Ayr stretches back to 1771, which makes it older than most of the stone cottages in the town centre and a fair few of its pubs.
The jumps course is a left-handed circuit measuring a mile and a half. It has nine fences and takes the field downhill to the home turn before demanding one last bit of effort up the gentle rise to the finishing line. The run-in itself is 210 yards – long enough for weary leaders to be caught, short enough to break punters’ hearts when their horse ties up just yards from glory.
The Details of the Scottish Grand National
This isn’t a race for the faint-hearted. Over the course of four miles, the field must clear 27 fences. It is a handicap, open to horses aged five and older. And while the distance itself is daunting enough, the ground can turn the whole thing into an ordeal.
Ayr can cut up into a gruelling slog if the rain has been hanging around, but the place is also known for drying quickly. That means one year you might see exhausted horses wading through heavy going, and the next you’ll witness a fast-run contest rattled off on springy ground. The unpredictability keeps trainers guessing, jockeys sweating, and punters reaching for those free bet bonuses from Ladbrokes.
A Colourful History
The Scottish Grand National was first run in 1858 under the name the “West of Scotland Grand National.” The course back then wasn’t quite the same as today – it featured 32 jumps, many of which were stone walls. This wasn’t so much a horse race as an obstacle course for the slightly unhinged.
The race shifted location over the years, moving to Bogside Racecourse near Irvine before finally settling at Ayr in 1966, which has remained its spiritual home ever since.
Horses Who Made Their Mark
Few things enhance a race’s status like its roll of honour, and the Scottish Grand National’s winners’ list features some remarkable names.
The first horse to complete the double of winning both the English and Scottish Grand Nationals was Music Hall, who pulled it off in 1922. In more recent times, Little Polveir managed the feat, winning at Ayr in 1987 and then conquering Aintree in 1989. Earth Summit repeated the trick, triumphant in Scotland in 1994 and in England four years later.
Three horses stand out for their sheer dominance north of the border. Couvrefeu II (1911–1913), Southern Hero (1934, 1936, 1939) and Queen’s Taste (1953, 1954, 1956) all claimed the prize on three separate occasions, a feat that underlines just how special they were.
And then there is Red Rum, the name that towers above all. Already immortalised as a three-time winner of the Aintree Grand National, Red Rum made a little more history by winning the Scottish version in 1974. Carrying a staggering 11st 13lb, he proved that Ayr held no fears for him either. To this day, he remains the only horse ever to win both the English and Scottish Nationals in the same year.
Trainers and Jockeys Who Stood Tall
Since Ayr became the race’s permanent home in 1966, separate records have been kept. Ken Oliver holds the title as most successful trainer in that era, chalking up four wins thanks to The Spaniard in 1970, Young Ash Leaf in 1971, Fighting Fit in 1979 and Cockle Strand in 1982.
On the jockeys’ side, Mark Dwyer takes the crown with three wins. He partnered Androma to glory in 1984 and 1985 before returning for one more with Moorcroft Boy in 1996. Few riders have shown such an affinity with Ayr’s demanding test.
Famous Winners and Modern Triumphs
It’s impossible to talk about famous winners without returning to Red Rum, but the list doesn’t end there. The Scottish National has long been a race that cements reputations and adds gloss to a horse’s career.
Most recently, Harry Cobden guided Captain Cody to victory in 2025, giving Willie Mullins his second consecutive win in the race after Danny Mullins had steered Minella Cocooner home the year before. It’s becoming something of a family affair for the Mullins clan, and nobody would be shocked if they continue to dominate the Scottish National for years to come.
The Place of the Scottish National in Racing
The Scottish Grand National isn’t just Ayr’s crown jewel – it’s one of the key races in the wider spring calendar. Alongside the English Grand National at Aintree and the Irish version at Fairyhouse, it forms a triumvirate of stamina-sapping spectacles that keep punters enthralled.
It’s also the centrepiece of Scotland’s biggest racing festival, held in tandem with the Scottish Champion Hurdle. The atmosphere, the crowds, the sense of occasion – all combine to create a weekend that racing fans look forward to all year.
Betting on the Scottish Grand National
When it comes to betting, the Scottish Grand National is a playground for the optimistic. Everyone thinks they’ve spotted the horse with just the right blend of stamina, grit and luck. And every year, most punters end up lamenting what might have been.
That’s why offers like Ladbrokes’ Bet £5 Get £20 in free bets feel tailor-made for an event like this. With so much uncertainty and so many fences standing between your fancy and the winning post, a few free bet bonuses can make all the difference to your racing weekend.
Whether you fancy a proven stayer, a lightly raced improver, or simply the horse whose name reminds you of your childhood pet, the Scottish Grand National gives you a reason to believe. And if you don’t believe, well, there’s always next year.