*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Kitty’s Light faces 22 rivals in the Scottish Grand National as last year’s runner-up bids to go one place better in 2023.
The Christian Williams-trained gelding finished behind stablemate Win My Wings in Ayr’s feature race 12 months ago and heads into the latest renewal in fine form after an emphatic victory in the Eider Handicap Chase last time out.
Saturday’s 15:35 sees 2021 winner Mighty Thunder return for another crack, while Nicky Henderson has a rare runner in the race in the form of top weight Dusart and his presence drags a whole host of horses out of the handicap.
Scottish Grand National odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Scottish Grand National tips
Timeform: Jonjo O’Neill’s MONBEG GENIUS is a young chaser firmly on the up and looks weighted to gain his biggest prize yet having run a cracker when a clear third to Corach Rambler in Cheltenham’s Ultima last time. Irish challenger Malina Girl is another novice with better days ahead of her and Gavin Cromwell’s mare is feared most, with last year’s runner-up Kitty’s Light, hat-trick seeking Famous Bridge and Your Own Story completing the shortlist.
Scottish Grand National runners
Dusart
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 8 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Quickly made up into a very smart performer over fences last season, winning 3 of his 4 starts, but he jumped with little fluency when puled up in Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (25.2f, good to soft) 84 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now with something to prove.
***
Threeunderthrufive
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: A. P. Heskin Age: 8 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Won 4 novice chases last term but yet to score this season and tongue tied when eighth of 23 in Ultima at Cheltenham (25f, good to soft) 39 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on with more needed.
***
Monbeg Genius
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Highly progressive novice chaser who readily completed his hat-trick at Chepstow in February. Ran a cracker when clear third of 23 to Corach Rambler in Ultima at Cheltenham (25f, good to soft) last time. Has more to offer over this marathon trip and rates a major player.
*****
Empire Steel
Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Ryan Mania Age: 9 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Resumed winning ways in 4-runner listed chase at Kelso (23.4f, good to soft) 49 days ago by ¾ length from Le Milos. Significantly up in trip. Needs considering.
***
Elvis Mail
Trainer: N. W. Alexander Jockey: Bruce Lynn Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Useful hurdler/chaser who got back on track when landing 3m2f handicap chase at Kelso 28 days ago by 7½ lengths from Half Shot. Not discounted stepping up in distance if his jumping holds up.
***
Kitty’s Light
Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Runner-up in this contest 12 months ago and he got back on track when bagging Eider at Newcastle 56 days ago, getting up late on. Cheekpieces are refitted and he’s not taken lightly despite taking an 8 lb rise.
****
Malina Girl
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 6 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Irish novice who recorded her third win of the season in 13-runner handicap chase at Downpatrick (28.6f, heavy) 20 days ago. Remains unexposed as a stayer so she’s firmly in the picture despite having a career-high mark to overcome.
****
Undersupervision
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 7 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Unreliable sort but he turned in one of his better efforts when second of 7 in handicap chase at Doncaster (26f, good) 49 days ago. Up in trip. Others remain more persuasive.
**
Ruthless Article
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 10 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Better than ever last summer when scoring at Uttoxeter but he beat only one back from an 8-month break at Ascot 20 days ago. Has something to prove now.
**
Lord Accord
Trainer: Neil Mulholland Jockey: Richie McLernon Age: 8 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Useful handicap chaser who was successful at Cheltenham in October. Largely below par since though, including when pulling up in Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Others are preferred.
**
Flash Collonges
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 8 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Got off the mark in this sphere in 5-runner handicap at Newbury (23.4f, good to firm) 49 days ago. Should stay this longer distance and he can’t be dismissed for yard which has a good record here.
***
Cooper’s Cross
Trainer: Stuart Coltherd Jockey: Sam Coltherd Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Dual chase winner this term who was running another good race when fell 4 out in Topham at Aintree (21.1f, good to soft) 8 days ago. No forlorn hope over this longer distance.
***
Cap Du Nord
Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Nick Scholfield Age: 10 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Back to winning ways in valuable event at Ascot in February but only ninth in 3m Kempton handicap a week later. Possibly found the run coming too quickly there so possibilities after a break.
***
Flash De Touzaine
Trainer: Miss Elizabeth Doyle Jockey: Richard Deegan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Opened his account over fences at Galway in October and posted a solid fifth in first-time cheekpieces in 3m Navan handicap 33 days ago. More is required significantly up in trip here.
**
Manothepeople
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Paddy Brennan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Went 2-2 over fences in 3m Chepstow novice handicap in December and posted very good second of 3 in 23f Newbury handicap after a break last time. May do better still now going over a marathon trip. Shortlisted.
***
Famous Bridge
Trainer: Nicky Richards Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
On the up over fences and he arrives on a hat-trick after back-to-back handicap wins at Wetherby last month. This is tougher but he can make his presence felt with this marathon trip a likely plus.
***
Your Own Story
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Suited by an increased test of stamina when getting off the mark over fences at Wetherby (31f). Bettered that form when second in 3m4f Haydock handicap later in March so he needs considering despite being 1 lb out of the handicap.
***
Waitnsee
Trainer: John Patrick Ryan Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Scored over hurdles at Kilbeggan in July but has failed to reach the frame since, tried in blinkers when only eighth in 3m Naas handicap chase last time. Others appeal more.
**
Magna Sam
Trainer: Alastair Ralph Jockey: Alex Edwards Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Better than ever after 9 months off on his yard debut when landing Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February. That form has been franked so he can’t be ruled out despite being 3 lb out of the handicap.
***
Mighty Thunder
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Patrick Wadge Age: 10 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Won this event in 2021 but seems not the force of old nowadays, never-dangerous fifth to Elvis Mail in handicap chase at Kelso (26.2f) 28 days ago. This greater stamina test will suit but he’s 3 lb “wrong” in the weights.
***
Flower Of Scotland
Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Danny McMenamin Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Scored at Kelso in December and in good nick since, including when third in Edinburgh National at Musselburgh. One to consider despite being 6 lb out of the handicap.
***
Half Shot
Trainer: Iain Jardine Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Opened his chase account at Sedgefield in October and has continued in very good form, runner-up in 3m2f Kelso handicap four weeks ago. 7 lb “wrong” in the weight here but still no forlorn hope.
***
Small Present
Trainer: Sue Smith Jockey: Sean Quinlan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Useful stayer over hurdles but his chase efforts this season have been disappointing. Others are much preferred. Engaged 4.45 here Friday.
**
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- ITV Racing tips: Top trader Frank Hickey’s sweet selections
- Horse Racing tips: Rory Delargy’s fine fancies for ITV Racing
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Ayr and Newbury
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Scottish Grand National? Ayr date, start time, runners and betting
- Scottish Grand National trends and stats for Ayr 3.35 on Saturday
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