The 2023 Scottish Grand National runners are headed by the Christian Williams-trained Kitty’s Light, who will be trying to give the yard their second win in-a-row in this gruelling 4m race today. 23 horses have now been confirmed to run in the Ayr race.
Best Scottish Grand National Free Bets
Kitty’s Light The 2023 Scottish Grand National Favourite
12 months ago we saw the Christian Williams runner Win My Wings win the Eider Chase at Newcastle and then take the Scottish Grand National and we could be seeing this happen again.
Not with Win My Wings, but with another Williams-trained horse Kitty’s Light, who also landed the Eider Chase this season. This 7 year-old has been put away since that win in February with the Scottish Grand National in mind and the best horse racing betting sites have installed him as their favourite for the big Ayr race today.
Kitty’s Light will face 22 other Scottish Grand National runners.
When Is The 2023 Scottish Grand National?
📅Time/Date: 3:35pm (Saturday 22nd April 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Ayr
💰 Purse/Winner: £112,540
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV (full race schedule for the Ayr card here)
You can bet on the 2023 Scottish Grand National by joining-up with the leading horse racing betting sites. There is also £1,000’s of horse racing free bets to claim along the way – meaning you can sign-up to one of the featured bookmakers and also grab some tasty Scottish Grand National betting offers to use on Saturday’s big Ayr race.
2023 Scottish Grand National Runners
23 horses have now been confirmed to run in Saturday’s race, with the weights headed by the Nicky Henderson-trained Dusart, who will carry 12st.
See below the runners, trainers and latest Scottish Grand National betting odds with bet365.
Note: Odds are subject to change
1. Dusart
Age: 8
Weight: 12st
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Odds: 25/1
Lightly-raced 8 year-old that adds a bit of class to the race and won at this fixture last season. However, as a result will have to shoulder top-weight of 12st. Trainer Nicky Henderson likes to target this meeting but would be his first win in this particular race.
2. Threeunderthrufive
Age: 8
Weight: 11st 7lbs
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Odds: 25/1
From the Paul Nicholls yard that have the Scottish National three times. This horse was last seen running down the field in the Ultima Chase (8th) at the Cheltenham Festival, but the form of that run has since been franked by the winner Corach Rambler winning the Aintree Grand National.
3. Monbeg Genius
Age: 7
Weight: 11st 5lbs
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Odds: 5/1
Third in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time – beaten only 2 1/4 lengths by the now Aintree Grand National winner Corach Rambler. Still only had 5 career runs, but has won 3 of those and looks an improving staying chaser for the Jonjo O’Neill yard, who are yet to win this race. A big player with the form of his last run having a timely boost last week.
4. Empire Steel
Age: 9
Weight: 11st 5lbs
Trainer: Sandy Thomson
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Odds: 25/1
Course winner that is certainly not without a chance here. Won the Premier Chase at Kelso last time out in early March and has been freshened up since. Beat Le Milos that day by a staying on 3/4 of a length and horse wasn’t disgraced in the National last week (10th). Aintree Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania rides.
5. Elvis Mail
Age: 9
Weight: 11st 3lbs
Trainer: N W Alexander
Jockey: Bruce Lynn
Odds: 14/1
Stayed on well to win over 3m2f at Kelso last time out so is well worth a crack at this 4m trip. Up 5lbs for that win so a bit more needed but is a proven course winner at Ayr and has a consistent chasing profile (12 runs, 3 wins and 7 top three finishes). Elvis Mail could certainly deliver.
6. Kitty’s Light
Age: 7
Weight: 11st
Trainer: Christian Williams
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Odds: 13/2
The likely Scottish Grand National favourite and has experience in the race when running 2nd last year. Is rated 3lbs lower this year and also runs with 8lbs less in racing weight. Also comes from the Christian Williams yard that won this prize 12 months ago. Not always the best jumper but staying is his game so heads here as the one to beat.
7. Malina Girl
Age: 6
Weight: 10st 11lbs
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Odds: 16/1
Another Irish raider and still only 6 years-old. However, 17 of the last 19 winners of the race have been aged 8 or older so this would be a negative for this mare. That said, stayed on well to win at Downpatrick the last day earlier this month over 3m4f so getting the trip should be fine. Is up 9lbs for that win.
8. Undersupervision
Age: 7
Weight: 10st 10lbs
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Odds: 22/1
From the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard that have won this race three times in the past. Ran a blinder the last day at Doncaster when second in the Grimthorpe Chase – beaten only a neck. 4lbs higher this time so more needed and has only won once from 11 tries over fences. Claims, but more of an each-way play.
9. Ruthless Article
Age: 10
Weight: 10st 9lbs
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
Odds: 40/1
From the Rebecca Curtis yard that won this race in 2018 with Joe Farrell. One of the older runners in the field at 10 but has Sean Bowen booked to ride and will be a lot fitter for a recent run at Ascot. That came off 252 days off and has also been dropped 2lbs for it. Has a nice racing weight of 10-9 and winning form over 3m2f.
10. Lord Accord
Age: 8
Weight: 10st 9lbs
Trainer: Neil Mulholland
Jockey: Richie McLernon
Odds: 33/1
Pulled up the last day at Cheltenham in the Kim Muir Chase so a fair bit to prove. On a plus, is down another 2lbs in the ratings here and the better ground will suit but hard to get excited based on recent runs.
11. Flash Collonges
Age: 8
Weight: 10st 8lbs
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Odds: 11/1
Another from the Paul Nicholls yard that have three Scottish National wins to their name. Number one stable jockey Harry Cobden has picked to ride this one and being lightly-raced with just 7 runs over fences should have more to come. Comes here in winning form too, having landed a Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newbury in early March and a 4lb hike for that looks fair. The unknown is the trip, with 3m the furthest he’s gone to date. However, still looks a nice each-way price in a race the yard love to target.
12. Cooper’s Cross
Age: 8
Weight: 10st 7lbs
Trainer: Stuart Coltherd
Jockey: Sam Coltherd
Odds: 33/1
Seen only last week at Aintree when falling in the Topham Chase. Did win the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster back in January though and would have a chance on that form. Is only 5lbs higher and gets in with just 10-7 in weight.
13. Cap Du Nord
Age: 10
Weight: 10st 6lbs
Trainer: Christian Williams
Jockey: Nick Scholfield
Odds: 18/1
Second runner in the race for the Christian Williams yard that won this race last year. Experienced staying chaser that will be having his 37th career run over fences (7 wins). 9th in the Coral Trophy last time out at Kempton but before that was a top winner at Ascot in the Swinley Handicap Chase. Low weight helps but at his age you just feel he might be a tad high in the ratings with his last two wins coming off 5lb lower marks.
14. Flash De Touzaine
Age: 8
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Trainer: Liz Doyle
Jockey: Richard Deegan
Odds: 50/1
Another Irish runner that will be looking to end the long sequence without a win in the Scottish National for the Emerald Isle trainers. Low weight helps but might have likes softer ground.
15. Manothepeople
Age: 8
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Odds: 11/1
The Fergal O’Brien yard have their horses in good form at the moment and this horse heads here having won 4 of his last 5 races. Also wasn’t beaten far the last day at Newbury after almost 4 months off so should be much fitter this time. Chance.
16. Famous Bridge
Age: 7
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: Nicky Richards
Jockey: Brian Hughes
Odds: 16/1
In form staying chaser from the Nicky Richard yard that won this race in 2019 so know what’s required. Has won his last two and is up just 3lbs more from the last of those. Course winner over hurdles too helps but the furthest he’s gone to date is 3m, so the trip will be the big question mark.
17. Your Own Story
Age: 7
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Jockey: Derek Fox
Odds: 13/2
Would be creating a big ‘story’ if he can win as he’s trained by last week’s Grand National-winning yard of Lucinda Russell. Ginger McCain won both races in the same season with Red Rum in 1974, but no trainer has won the Aintree and Scottish Nationals in the same season with different horses. This 7 year-old has a big chance too based on his win over 3m7f at Wetherby two runs ago and was only just touched off last time at Haydock. 7 career runs over fences (1 win), plus has only been out of the first three once. We know he stays and with just 10-2 in weight and Derek Fox riding – we could easily be seeing a bit of National history this weekend!
18. Waitnsee
Age: 9
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: John Patrick Ryan
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Odds: 66/1
Irish runner that has a lot to prove after running well down the field in his last six races.
19. Magna Sam
Age: 9
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: Alastair Ralph
Jockey: Alex Edwards
Odds: 20/1
Won over 3m 7f at Musselburgh last time in the Edinburgh National so we know he’ll stay. The form of that win also got a boost this week with the runner-up Captain Cattistock winning well at Cheltenham. Is up only 5lbs for that last win and with just 10st 2lbs to carry could be overpriced.
20. Mighty Thunder
Age: 10
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Jockey: Patrick Wadge
Odds: 20/1
Winner of the Scottish Grand National in 2021 and is back for more at the age of 10. Yes, has lost his way a bit but is another from the in-form Lucinda Russell yard, who will be looking for a ‘National Double’ inside a week. Ran a bit better the last day at Kelso when 5th to Elvis Mail, while is now a massive 19lbs lower than when winning this in 2021. Jockey Patrick Wadge also rides to take off another 5lbs, so could be dangerous to rule out being a past winner off a very attractive mark.
21. Flower Of Scotland
Age: 8
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: Sandy Thomson
Jockey: Danny McMenamin
Odds: 16/1
Sure to have plenty of supporters based on his name and not without a chance either. Low weight helps and stayed on well over 3m7f in the Edinburgh National to Magna Sam back in February. Same mark here and a spin over hurdles recently would have blown away the cobwebs.
22. Half Shot
Age: 9
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Trainer: Iain Jardine
Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
Odds: 40/1
Consistent profile for this Iain Jardine runner that was second last time to Elvis Mail at Kelso. Same rating here and low weight help, plus was a head second to the Topham Chase winner Bill Baxter in March. Staying the trip is the unknown.
23. Small Present
Age: 8
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Odds: 50/1
From the Aintree Grand National-winning yard of Sue Smith, but has not been running well of late. Last win came at Haydock in Jan 22 off a 9lb higher mark which would suggest he’s got a chance, but this year has been well beaten in each if his three runs.
Recent Ayr Winners
- 2022 – WIN MY WINGS (13/2 cfav)
- 2021 – MIGHTY THUNDER (8/1)
- 2020 – No Race
- 2019 – TAKINGRISKS (25/1)
- 2018 – JOE FARRELL (33/1)
- 2017 – VICENTE (9/1 jfav)
- 2016 – VICENTE (14/1)
- 2015 – WAYWARD PRINCE (25/1)
- 2014 – AL CO (40/1)
- 2013 – GODSMEJUDGE (12/1)
- 2012 – MERIGO (15/2)
WATCH: Win My Wings Winning The 2022 Scottish Grand National
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