2021 Scottish Grand National Tips, Odds and Predictions

The highlight of the season in Scotland takes place during April, as a field of top-quality handicappers take part in the Scottish Grand National.

The Scottish National takes place just a week after the Grand National at Aintree, but you do occasionally get horses who take part in both races.

The Scottish Grand National is run at Ayr racecourse, and the trip is four miles.

As a mark of respect for the Duke Of Edinburgh, whose funeral takes place on Saturday, the 2021 Scottish Grand National will now be run on Sunday 18th April.

After dominating at the Cheltenham Festival, it's no surprise two of the five Irish entrants in this year's Scottish Grand National sitting atop the market.

Galvin beat Escaria Ten into third when they clashed in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Both have been installed as 8/1 joint-favourites by Coral, and both are capable of ending Ireland's long wait for another Scottish National winner.

“It is quite remarkable that 152 years has passed since the last Irish trained winner of the Coral Scottish Grand National." said Simon Clare, Coral Spokesman.

"If ever there was year for the Irish to end that long losing streak it feels like this could be the year.” 

Sitting just behind the favourites we find Aye Right, whose consistent season continued with a fine third-placed effort in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival. Harry Fry's Ask Me Early is also a 12/1 shot. As is Dingo Dollar, who bolted up by 10 lengths on his first start for Sandy Thompson at Newcastle last month.

Vintage Clouds made it fifth time lucky in the Ultima, beating Happygolucky by five lengths, and he could run in his fourth Scottish National. Cap Du Nord has been in good form this season, while Soldier Of Love could be a player if the ground came up good.

The last winner of the Scottish National, Takingrisks could return to defend his crown. Noel Meade has handed Eurobot an entry. Alan King has entered both Notachance and Canelo.

Other names worth mentioning include Lake View Lad, Highland Hunter, Fagan, Enqarde and Chapel Stile.

The Scottish Grand National was created in 1867, almost 30 years after the British version was first run at Aintree. The race has been held at a number of locations during its history, but has stayed at Ayr racecourse since first being staged there in 1966.

The Elk won the first Scottish Grand National in 1867. There was an unusual occurrence in 1891, where only two horses started the race and both fell at the second fence, meaning there was no winner.

Couvrefeu II became the first horse to land a hat-trick of wins in this staying handicap, claiming successive victories in 1911, '12 and '13. 

That brilliant achievement was almost matched by Queen's Taste, who won back to back Scottish Nationals in 1953 and '54, was beaten in 55, before winning the trophy back in '56. Southern Hero is the other three-time winner, having triumphed in 1934, '36 and '39.

The most famous winner of the Scottish Grand National is the great Red Rum. Ginger McCain's star score at Ayr, just days after winning the second of his three Aintree Grand Nationals in 1974.

Little Polveir won the Scottish Grand National under Peter Scudamore in 1987, before following up at Aintree two years later. Earth Summit is the only other horse to win both the Scottish and British Grand Nationals, claiming victory at Ayr in 1994, and Aintree in 1998.

The oldest horse in recent times to win at Ayr was Wilsford, who scored as a 12-year-old in 1995. The youngest was Earth Summit, who was only six when he won this staying handicap.

Barona won back-to-back Scottish Grand Nationals in the mid-1970s. Androma carried bottom-weight to victory i1984, before following up 12 months later.

Ken Oliver and Neville Crump are the joint winning-most trainers in the Scottish Grand National saddling four winners apiece. Paul Nicholls sits just one behind, having won with Belmont King and twice with Vicente, who secured back-to-back wins in 2016 and '17. 

Rebecca Curtis celebrate her first Scottish National win when Joe Farrell struck late in 2018. Nicky Richards was celebrating the following season, as Sean Quinlan guided Takingrisks to victory.