As April 2026 crosses into its third week, it is time for the third of the four UK and Ireland Grand Nationals to take centrestage in the National Hunt calendar. The Scottish Grand National will take place between Friday, 17 April and Saturday, 18 April at the Ayr Racecourse this year.
The very first race conducted in Scotland under the name of Grand National took place in 1858 and consisted of 32 jumps. Since then, it changed its location twice until finding its home at the Ayr Racecourse in 1965.
Located in the town of Ayr, the Ayr Racecourse covers both flat and National Hunt racing, staying active throughout the year. The history of horse racing in the area dates back to the 16th century. The current racecourse was established in 1907. Apart from the Scottish Grand National, some of its most prominent races include Scottish Champion Hurdle (April, Scottish Grand National meeting) and Ayr Gold Cup (September).
This year’s Scottish Grand National meeting will be opened by The Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle Race as its first race, while The Golf Inn Prestwick Luxury Accommodation Open National Hunt Flat Race will close the event.
The Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase, the headline race of the event, is the fifth race of the second day of the meeting.
Key Dates & Timings
The Scottish Grand National 2026 meeting will be conducted in the third week of April and last for two days. This horse racing fixture will include seven races on each day, for a total of 14 races. The entire event is named after its featured race.
Day One: Ladies Day
- When: Friday, 17 April
- Gate opening: 11:45 am
- First race: 1:45 pm
- Headline race: 3:30 pm
- Last race: 5:15 pm
The daily race card for the Scottish Grand National Ladies Day 2026 is as follows:
Friday, 17 April
Going: soft (good to soft in places)
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:45 pm | THE SLATER MENSWEAR HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | About two miles (2m) | 4YO+ £18,000.00 Rating 0-130 |
| 2:20 pm | THE IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE) (CL 3) | Two miles about half a furlong (2m 110yds) | 5YO+ £15,500.00 Rating 0-125 |
| 2:55 pm | THE ABBOTT RISK CONSULTING LTD MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE) (CL 4) | About two miles (2m) | 4YO+ £10,000.00 |
| 3:30 pm | THE HILLHOUSE QUARRY HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 110yds) |
5YO+ £50,000.00 |
| 4:05 pm | THE CORAL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about five and a half furlongs
(2m 5f 91yds) |
4YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-150 |
| 4:43 pm | THE GET HOME SAFE WITH THISTLE CABS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | Three miles about half a furlong
(3m 70yds) |
4YO+ £16,000.00 Rating 0-130 |
| 5:15 pm | THE JARDINE UTILITIES RACE TO REPAIR ‘HANDS & HEELS’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ AND AMATEUR RIDERS’ RACE)(Racing Excellence Series Finale) (CL 4) | Two miles about four and a half furlongs
(2m 4f 100yds) |
4YO+ £10,000.00 Rating 0-120 |
Day Two: Scottish Grand National
- When: Saturday, 18 April
- Gate opening: 11:00 am
- First race: 1:10 pm
- Headline race: 3:35 pm
- Last race: 4:50 pm
The daily race card for the Scottish Grand National Saturday 2026 is as follows:
Saturday, 18 April
Going: soft (good to soft in places)
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:10 pm | THE SCOTTY BRAND HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | Two miles about half a furlong
(2m 110yds) |
5YO+ £75,000.00 |
| 1:45 pm | THE CPMS NOVICES’ CHAMPION HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | About three miles
(3m 20yds) |
5YO+ £50,000.00 |
| 2:20 pm | THE CORAL SCOTTISH CHAMPION HURDLE RACE (A LIMITED HANDICAP) (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About two miles
(2m) |
4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 2:55 pm | THE JORDAN ELECTRICS LTD SEAFIELD TROPHY MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Three miles about half a furlong
(3m 70yds) |
4YO+ £45,000.00 |
| 3:35 pm | THE CORAL SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE) (CL 1) | About four miles
(3m 7f 176yds) |
5YO+ £200,000.00 |
| 4:15 pm | THE STAGECOACH WE’VE GOT YOU NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (Winners of One) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | Two miles about five and a half furlongs
(2m 5f 91yds) |
4YO+ £20,000.00 |
| 4:50 pm | THE GOLF INN PRESTWICK LUXURY ACCOMMODATION OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 2) (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | About two miles
(2m) |
4-6YO £16,500.00 |
Headline Races at the Scottish Grand National Meeting 2026
The Scottish Grand National 2026 meeting includes 14 races evenly distributed over the course of two days of the event. Each of them offers a variety of runners, conditions, and tracks to guarantee that the motley crowd of horse racing enthusiasts and bettors visiting the Ayr Racecourse between 17 and 18 April will find something that matches their interests and style.
Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (Friday, 17 April)
The Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase that accepts both male and female horses aged five years or older. It is run over the distance of about 2 miles 4 furlongs and 110 yards (about 4,100 metres) and includes 18 fences to be jumped.
The race is a prominent part of the Scottish Grand National and the highlight of its first day. Its current name reflects its sponsorship.
While there are no documented multiple winners among runners, among the jockeys Harry Skelton holds the record of having won the race twice, more than any other jockey. His first win took place in 2018 with Value At Risk, while the second was as recent as 2025 with Riskintheground.
Dan Skelton holds the title of the most successful trainer at the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase with three wins to his name (Two Taffs 2017, Value At Risk 2018, Riskintheground 2025).
The latest winner in 2025 was an 8 year old bay gelding Riskintheground, who won the race just a month before turning 9. This was his first out of the three first places he took in the 2025 season, the other two being Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (April, Cheltenham) and Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Intermediate Chase (October, Newton Abbot). Riskintheground was trained by Dan Skelton and led on the track by jockey Harry Skelton.
Currently, there are 29 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Al Kalila (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Stuart Crawford)
- Barlovento (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
- Bleu d’Enfer (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
- Breizh River (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tristan Davidson)
- Cabhfuilfungi (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kerry Lee)
- Califet En Vol (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Classic Maestro (age 8, jockey Luke Scott, trainer Jenny Candlish)
- Donnacha (age 8, jockey James Davies, trainer Nigel Hawke)
- Dubai Days (age 12, jockey Bruce Lynn, trainer Nick Alexander)
- Fugitif (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hobson)
- Gamesters Guy (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
- Heltenham (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Hoe Joly Smoke (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Hombre De Guerra (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
- Il Ridoto (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Issam (age 8, jockey Gavin Sheehan, trainer Tom Symonds)
- Jipcot (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Jour d’Evasion (age 7, jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, trainer Henry Daly)
- Just Over Land (age 7, jockey Dylan Johnston, trainer Sam Thomas)
- Koukeo (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Magistrato (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Deborah Cole)
- Marty Mcfly (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sandy Thomson)
- Myretown (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
- Pleasington (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
- Rath Gaul Hill (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Samuel Drinkwater)
- Risk De Pluie (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Clarke)
- Rodney (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kerry Lee)
- The Bluesman (age 7, jockey Sean Bowen, trainer Olly Murphy)
- Twinjets (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
The Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase (Saturday, 18 April)
The Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase that accepts both male and female horses aged five years or older. It is run over the distance of about 4 miles (3 miles 7 furlongs and 176 yards, or 6,397 metres) and includes 27 fences to be jumped.
The Scottish Grand National was established in 1867 but moved to Ayr a century later, in 1965. Its distance was also modified several times throughout its existence, increasing each time until the present length. Some of its winners would go on to also win the Grand National at Aintree.
When it comes to multiple wins, three horses have won the race three times each: Couvrefeu II (1911, 1912, 1913), Southern Hero (1934, 1936, 1939), Queen’s Taste (1953, 1954, 1956). Among the jockeys, only Mark Dwyer has managed to become a champion multiple times with 3 wins (Androma 1984, 1985, Moorcroft Boy 1996). The most successful trainer is Ken Oliver with 4 wins (The Spaniard 1970, Young Ash Leaf 1971, Fighting Fit 1979, Cockle Strand 1982). All results take into consideration wins achieved at the Ayr Racecourse.
The latest winner in 2025 was a 7 year old bay gelding Captain Cody, who turned 8 shortly after his win. This was his best performance of the season. Captain Cody was trained by Willie Mullins and led on the track by jockey Harry Cobden.
Currently, there are 49 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Anyway (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer David Kenneth Budds)
- Ask Brewster (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Cath Williams)
- Backmersackme (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Emmet Mullins)
- Banbridge (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Blaze The Way (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Margaret Mullins)
- Brave Fortune (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Chance Another One (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Emmet Mullins)
- Chasingouttheblues (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mark Walford)
- Collectors Item (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Deafening Silence (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Duffle Coat (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Famous Bridge (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Richards)
- Fierce Warrior (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Fortunedefortunata (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Patrick Morris)
- Gabbys Cross (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nick Scholfield)
- Git Maker (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jamie Snowden)
- Guard The Moon (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Havaila (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
- Herakles Westwood (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Warren Greatrex)
- Hyland (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Iron Bridge (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Isaac Des Obeaux (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- J’arrive De L’est (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Emmet Mullins)
- Johnnywho (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Jordans (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Kap Vert (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
- Katate Dori (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sam Thomas)
- Ki Woo (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
- Kim Roque (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- King Of Answers (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
- Konfusion (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith)
- Laganhill (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry Daly)
- Magna Sam (age 12, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alastair Ralph)
- Maximilian (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
- Montregard (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tom Lacey)
- Mr Vango (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sara Bradstock)
- Olivers Travels (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
- One Big Bang (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Our Power (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sam Thomas)
- Promontory (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sarah Joanna Connell)
- Quebecois (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Road To Home (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Search For Glory (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Stolen Silver (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Georgina Nicholls)
- Threeunderthrufive (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Top Of The Bill (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Transmission (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil Mulholland)
- Twig (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Pauling)
- Val Dancer (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mel Rowley)
Other Notable Races at the Scottish Grand National Meeting 2026
Another notable race taking place during the Scottish Grand National meeting is the Scottish Champion Hurdle. It is run on the second day of the fixture, which means this year it will be conducted on Saturday, 18 April.
The Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle Race is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over the distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres) and includes 9 hurdles to be jumped.
It is a relatively new race that was established in 1966, with Blue Venom winning the inaugural race. Initially, the Scottish Champion Hurdle was run on the first day of the Scottish Grand National meeting, but since 1994 it is held on Saturday. Some of its winners have also won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Throughout its history, the Scottish Champion Hurdle keeps the record of two horses who achieved multiple wins at the race: Sea Pigeon (1977, 1978) and Birds Nest (1979, 1981), both with 2 wins each.
As many as four jockeys have won the Scottish Champion Hurdle multiple times: Andrew Turnell (Bird’s Nest 1979, 1981, Secret Ballot 1980), Peter Scudamore (Royal Vulcan 1983, Rushmoor 1984, Granville Again 1992), Richard Dunwoody (Alderbrook 1996, Blowing Wind 1998, Fadalko 1999), and Richard Johnson (In Contrast 2003, Noble Request 2006, Cheltenian 2015), each with 3 wins.
On the other hand, only one trainer holds the title of the most successful one at this race with 4 wins: Martin Pipe (Sayparee 1990, Granville Again 1992, Blowing Wind 1998, Copeland 2004).
The latest winner in 2025 was a 6 year old bay gelding Cracking Rhapsody. This was his second major win of the season, the first one taking place in March at the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle. Cracking Rhapsody was trained by Ewan Whillans and led on the track by jockey Craig Nichol. This season, he has already been announced to participate in the race again.
Currently, there are 34 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Wilful (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Bowensonfire (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Tutti Quanti (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Rubaud (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Burdett Road (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Cracking Rhapsody (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ewan Whillans)
- Kihavah (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
- Serious Challenge (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Fergal O’Brien)
- Captain Hugo (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Josh White)
- Indemnity (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Emma Lavelle)
- Gibbs Island (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tom Lacey)
- Tellherthename (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Helnwein (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alan King)
- Ooh Betty (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Clarke)
- Storming George (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil King)
- Hamlet’s Night (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Secret Squirrel (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Hughie Morrison)
- Un Sens A La Vie (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Charlus (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Intellotto (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Daisy Hitchins)
- Khrisma (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Rubber Ball (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil King)
- Queenie St Clair (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nick Scholfield)
- Wise Eagle (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adam Nicol)
- All In You (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Warren Greatrex)
- Arch Empire (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Dedicated Hero (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sandy Thomson)
- The Mighty Celt (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Welsh Charger (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alastair Ralph)
- Pourquoi Pas Papa (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Bibe Mus (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
- Indian River (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
- Fouroneohfever (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Pauling)
- Mojito Des Mottes (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Pauling)
Betting at Scottish Grand National Meeting 2026
As one of the Grand National competitions on the National Hunt calendar in Britain, the Scottish Grand National attracts a lot of attention from horse racing enthusiasts, bettors, and bookmaking platforms alike. Odds on all races of the event will be available at major bookmakers.
As any horse racing fixture, Scottish Grand National will offer a wide range of betting markets on all of its races. The Ayr Racecourse offers specialised betting facilities to those choosing to spend their day at the tracks. If you are following the event from home, online betting will be at your service.
If you are planning to partake in betting on Scottish Grand National races, don’t forget to practise responsible gambling. Instead of placing random wagers, study the list of runners, their physical form and latest performance, analyse the tendencies and favourites of the market, and, of course, keep an eye on the odds. If you are visiting the Ayr Racecourse for the event, try to check out the horses in the Parade Ring.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Scottish Grand National 2026 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Scottish Grand National 2026 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: This is the simplest betting market in any type of sports betting. As a punter, you are trying to predict the outcome of the event. In horse racing this means you are placing a wager on a horse that in your opinion will come to the finish line first and win the race. If your prediction happens to be correct, your wager will be eligible for a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size. This bet is considered equally suitable for newbie and experienced bettors.
- Place: This betting market pretty much repeats the mechanism of the previous one, but it involves lower risks for the punters. Your goal as the bettor is also different. For this bet you are trying to predict that the horse you back will finish the race within the winning top, which in horse racing terms is called a placement. The number of the paid placements, i.e. the winning top, will be announced in advance and depends on the number of runners participating in the race. What works in your favour here is that you don’t have to predict the exact place the horse will take. As long as it comes to the finish line within the winning top, your wager is eligible for a payout. This considerably reduces the chance of making a wrong prediction because there are more paid placements in the race, while there is only one winner.
- First Two (or First Three): This betting market is also aimed at the winning top but works a little differently. Here instead of placing your wager on one horse, you are placing it on two or three, stating that one of them will be the winner, while the others will come to the finish line the second and the third (if you are betting on the first three). You don’t have to bet on each of them separately, but rather make one total bet. Two things are taken into consideration for this bet to win. First, all the horses you mention in your bet need to finish the race within the winning top. Secondly, they need to come to the finish line in the exact order you specified in your bet. If one of them fails to finish in the winning top or they finish in a different order, your wager will be lost.
- Two From Three: This betting market works under the same mechanism but allows you a bit more freedom. You are still trying to predict two horses who will finish the race within the top three, however you don’t need to predict their exact placements. As long as they both come to the finish line within the top three, you will be eligible for a payout. If one of them misses the top three altogether, you will lose your wager. Still, the chance of making the right prediction is higher for this bet, so it is considered lower risk.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org