The Scottish Grand National awaits at Ayr this weekend, with 23 set to take their part in another marathon showcase this weekend. Joe Napier previews this year’s line-up, as Willie Mullins’ team goes on the charge.
In a thrilling finish to the 2024 renewal, Mullins secured a huge victory in his race for the British trainers’ title as Macdermott narrowly got the better of Surrey Quest.
CHOSEN WITNESS
(Willie Mullins/Sean O’Keeffe)
Installed as favourite after sustained support from his confirmation on Monday, Chosen Witness arrives here after just three chase starts but with a promising profile. He was well beaten on chase debut, but stepped up when third at Fairyhouse to a useful stablemate, then unseated when still in touch in Grade 2 company at Navan.
That looked a decent Graded novice chase, so while it was still too early to identify his chances, it boded well for the future. He was a winner on this card over 3m in the novices’ handicap hurdle last year off 130, runs here off 137, and could easily be on the up, for all he is not the obvious Mullins number one on jockey bookings.
MACDERMOTT
(Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins)
Sometimes the simplest way to approach a race is back last year’s winner and Macdermott, being trained too by Willie Mullins, would seem an even more obvious starting point. He only won by a nose last year, but stayed thoroughly and has an extra year of experience now.
Admittedly, that year of experience has not always been pleasant, with two pulled up efforts and an unseat since his 2024 Scottish National victory. The seven-year-old needs to bounce back in a big way, but he is only 5lb higher than for his win, so a revival is far from ruled out given his age.
ROCK MY WAY
(Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell)
A Grade 2 winner as a novice hurdler early in 2023, Rock My Way has taken some time to fulfil that promise, but he is beginning too now in the hands of Joe Tizzard. Still only seven, he won for the first time over fences at Doncaster earlier in the campaign and has been consistent since.
A fourth at Newbury and second at Doncaster preceded a superb effort in the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, where he finished second only to joint favourite Haiti Couleurs. As he was 4½ lengths in arrears, he was only bumped up 1lb and looks like he should stay the trip here. He looks likely to be involved if in similar form.
SURREY QUEST
(Toby Lawes/Kevin Brogan)
Last year’s runner-up, it was heartbreak for Surrey Quest’s connections, as Toby Lawes and Kevin Brogan were downed by the Willie Mullins powerhouse. However, this eight-year-old has returned in better form again this term compared to the winner and arrives in fine fettle.
He was second again at Cheltenham in November, as well as third in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh. He was not overly fortunate in running either, so although he is 6lb higher this term off a mark of 139, he remains of interest to run a big race.
THE FIELD
Mullins’ contingent also includes two further first-season novices in Olympic Man and Captain Cody. The latter would look the more reliable despite his unseat at Cheltenham, as he has run in higher quality races in his career, as well as having a superb reserve jockey booking in Harry Cobden. However, with Paul Townend injured, Olympic Man may be the Mullins number one on jockey bookings, with Grand National winner Patrick Mullins taking the ride.
He may be a sketchy jumper, but did win last time out and is improving. The same cannot be said of second season novice chasers Spanish Harlem and Klarc Kent, but both ran well in this last year and are now lower in the handicap, with a revival from the former in particular not ruled out.
Another novice, but in the care of Nigel Twiston-Davies, is The Kniphand, who was well-backed into favouritism for the Grimthorpe at Doncaster in early March, staying on into second behind a surprise winner. He is only 2lb higher and he may well stay this extra distance too.
Henry’s Friend is a talented horse on his day, but looks held by the handicapper, while Magna Sam is a thorough stayer, but saves his best for Musselburgh. Conversely, Famous Bridge won the Grand National Trial at Haydock before beating Henry’s Friend in the Ultima despite being a bigger price off the same conditions here. He has a chance.
At bigger prices, another Irish raider in Brandt makes appeal at the foot of the weights despite being out of the weights, Upped to 3m4f last time, he stayed thoroughly to win the Dublin National at Leopardstown, and he is only 6lb above his Irish mark. Sean Bowen is booked, which looks a statement of intent.
VERDICT
The featherweight could be carried to success by BRANDT, who has showed a different side to himself in staying handicap chases of late and looks sure to be suited even better by this marathon 4m distance. He is worth chancing even against the Mullins battalions, from whom Olympic Man and Spanish Harlem are feared most. Surrey Quest and Rock My Way should give their running for the Brits, though stronger challenges could come from The Kniphand and Famous Bridge.
- Brandt
- The Kniphand
- Spanish Harlem
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