The 2026 Scottish Grand National at Ayr features a field of 21 runners, with Willie Mullins relying on just one horse after fielding six in the previous two renewals. The race, scheduled for 3.35pm on ITV, has drawn attention for its contrast in trainer strategies and the lingering question of whether last year’s winner can defy age and weight to repeat.
Keith Melrose’s runner-by-runner guide highlights King of Answers as Scotland’s big hope, trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, who finished second at the Cheltenham Festival and won at Kelso in February. Melrose notes the horse will need more dash in the ride but carries the pedigree and recent form to challenge. The joint-trainer’s view from Michael Scudamore adds that the horse improved for the step up in trip at Cheltenham and that softer ground will not worry him despite the weight.
Paul Nicholls enters two runners rated highly by Melrose: Harry Cobden’s mount, described as the stronger of his pair and bred for the trip, and Sam Twiston-Davies’ horse, which won the Midlands Grand National and has gone up 7lb for this attempt. Nicholls notes that more rain would suit the latter, while the former’s chance hinges on getting the trip despite strong Cheltenham form. Melrose awards the Nicholls entry ridden by Cobden a four-star rating, calling it the stronger of his two runners.
Willie Mullins’ sole representative, Road to Rome, is a seven-year-old who showed promise in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but was battled back by Ask Brewster. Melrose notes the horse was ridden off the pace and tired over a shorter trip last time, questioning whether cheekpieces will aid under these conditions. The trainer’s view from Mags Mullins says the horse is in good form and stayed well over three miles two furlongs at Cheltenham in December, offering hope despite the new territory of the four-mile trip.
The Independent’s tips for the Ayr card include Palacio as a 7/2 win bet in the opener, noting his decisive 5-length win on similar ground and the likelihood of more to come. Diamond Dealer is highlighted as a 4/1 William Hill bet, tied to Dan Skelton’s record-breaking season and the horse that took him past the £4m prize money barrier at Kelso. The piece likewise notes Sans Bruit as a beaten favourite at Aintree now favoured here, and Le Nez Creux’s potential significance on her first start for Gavin Cromwell, who trained last year’s winner.
Last year’s winner, if discounting the Willie Mullins battalion, is now 11 years old and carries 6lb less, with Melrose noting he may still be dangerous to dismiss despite not firing on all cylinders this term. The horse, ridden by Danny Gilligan and trained by Sam Thomas, is priced at 25-1 and is set to wear first-time blinkers instead of his usual cheekpieces.
What are the forecast odds for the top-rated runners in the Scottish Grand National?
Harry Cobden’s ride for Paul Nicholls is forecast at 7-1, Derek Fox’s mount for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore at 6-1, and Sam Twiston-Davies’ Nicholls-trained horse at 9-1, according to the Racing Post declarations.
Why is Willie Mullins fielding only one runner in the 2026 Scottish Grand National despite winning the past two renewals?
With the trainers’ championship out of reach, Willie Mullins is relying on just one horse, Road to Rome, as he aims to follow up his Aintree triumph with I Am Maximus and focus his resources elsewhere.
