Scottish Grand National - Betting Odds, Tips & Runners List

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The 144th Scottish Grand National will take place on Saturday, 12th April 2025 at the iconic Ayr Racecourse. This is part of the two-day Coral Scottish Grand National Festival, which will host 15 different races in total. Below, we’ll analyse the ante post Scottish Grand National betting odds in detail, while offering some expert horse racing tips on how to wager your hard-earned bankroll.

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🎲 Scottish Grand National Betting Odds – Outrights

JohnnyWho is the narrow ante-post favourite to win the 2025 Scottish Grand National, with the eight-year-old gelding placing in all five career outings so far. But who else is expected to shine at Ayr this year? Below, we highlight the top contenders for the big race along with the 2025 odds.

Horse
leovegas-sports-banner
BoyleSports-banner
William-hill-banner
JohnnyWho
The Changing Man
13.00
Quai De Bourbon
Resplendent Grey
Whistle Stop Tour
High Class Hero
Chosen Witness
Apple Away
Hyland
Rocky My Way
Horse
leovegas-sports-banner
BoyleSports-banner
William-hill-banner
JohnnyWho
The Changing Man
13.00
Quai De Bourbon
Resplendent Grey
Whistle Stop Tour
High Class Hero
Chosen Witness
Apple Away
Hyland
Rocky My Way

⚠️Odds are subject to change. Please check before placing your bets.

🏇 Scottish Grand National Runners: Confirmed Horses & Entries.

A quick look at the Scottish National 2025 runners shows a competitive field, with 60 horses set to line up. Below, you'll find a full breakdown of the Scottish Grand National 2025 entries, including the runners list, their age, trainers, and recent form.

Key Contenders Runners List

Horse
Recent Form
Age
Trainer
JohnnyWho
-13332
8
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Apple Away
-4222P
8
Lucinda Russell
Art Decco
11-251
9
Robert Walford
Monbeg Genius
5P-241
9
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Famous Bridge
4-2316
9
Nicky Richards
Horse
JohnnyWho
Apple Away
Art Decco
Monbeg Genius
Famous Bridge
Recent Form
-13332
-4222P
11-251
5P-241
4-2316
Age
8
8
9
9
9
Trainer
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Lucinda Russell
Robert Walford
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Nicky Richards

Notable Challengers Runners List

Horse
Recent Form
Age
Trainer
Iron Bridge
P8-3PP
9
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Sail Away
PF7632
9
Dan Skelton
Three Card Brag
-33713
8
Gordon Elliott
Kilcruit
00-573
10
WP Mullins
Grozni
5-P156
9
James Owens
Horse
Iron Bridge
Sail Away
Three Card Brag
Kilcruit
Grozni
Recent Form
P8-3PP
PF7632
-33713
00-573
5-P156
Age
9
9
8
10
9
Trainer
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Dan Skelton
Gordon Elliott
WP Mullins
James Owens

Other Confirmed Runners List

Horse
Recent Form
Age
Trainer
Flash De Touzaine
245961
10
Liz Doyle
Fortunedefortunata
502015
8
Gordon Elliott
Git Maker
23-040
9
Jamie Snowden
Guard Your Dreams
43474F
9
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Hasthing
-4114F
8
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Henry’s Friend
P-4518
8
Ben Pauling
Herakles Westwood
-21137
8
Warren Greatrex
High Class Hero
P-2212
8
W P Mullins
Hyland
141122
8
Nicky Henderson
Hymac
1-1323
9
Harry Fry
Iron Bridge
P8-3PP
9
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Judicieuse Allen
7F1135
6
WP Mullins
Kandoo Kid
P23-18
9
Paul Nicholls
Klarc Kent
P0P908
9
WP Mullins
Loughgylnn
32-352
7
WP Mullins
Macdermott
1-P0UP
7
WP Mullins
Magna Sam
P-PP31
11
Alastair Ralph
Major Fortune
66P426
7
Dan Skelton
Mr Incredible
UP-PRP
9
Sandy Thomson
O’Moore Park
-0FF43
8
WP Mullins
Olympic Man
2-P461
8
WP Mullins
Our Power
7F-223
10
Sam Thomas
Quai De Bourbon
31-31U
6
WP Mullins
Resplendent Grey
112244
7
Olly Murphy
Riskintheground
354445
8
Dan Skelton
Rock My Way
-31422
7
Joe Tizzard
Sine Nomine
11-UFP
9
Fiona Needham
Snipe
-22383
8
Dan Skelton
Spanish Harlem
6-P074
7
WP Mullins
Stuzzikini
15310P
7
Gordon Elliott
Surrey Quest
02-2U3
8
Toby Lawes
Tanganyika
-54112
7
Venetia Williams
The Changing Man
F22212
8
Joe Tizzard
Theformismighty
-41725
8
Dan Skelton
The Kniphand
-12132
7
Nigel Twiston-Davies
The Short Go
5342F5
8
Henry De Bromhead
Threeunderthrufive
210-32
10
Paul Nicholls
Val Dancer
33-113
8
Mel Rowley
Walking On Air
-P63F0
8
Faye Bramley
Whistle Stop Tour
-3115P
7
Lucinda Russell
Will Do
-3115P
7
Lucinda Russell
Horse
Flash De Touzaine
Fortunedefortunata
Git Maker
Guard Your Dreams
Hasthing
Henry’s Friend
Herakles Westwood
High Class Hero
Hyland
Hymac
Iron Bridge
Judicieuse Allen
Kandoo Kid
Klarc Kent
Loughgylnn
Macdermott
Magna Sam
Major Fortune
Mr Incredible
O’Moore Park
Olympic Man
Our Power
Quai De Bourbon
Resplendent Grey
Riskintheground
Rock My Way
Sine Nomine
Snipe
Spanish Harlem
Stuzzikini
Surrey Quest
Tanganyika
The Changing Man
Theformismighty
The Kniphand
The Short Go
Threeunderthrufive
Val Dancer
Walking On Air
Whistle Stop Tour
Will Do
Recent Form
245961
502015
23-040
43474F
-4114F
P-4518
-21137
P-2212
141122
1-1323
P8-3PP
7F1135
P23-18
P0P908
32-352
1-P0UP
P-PP31
66P426
UP-PRP
-0FF43
2-P461
7F-223
31-31U
112244
354445
-31422
11-UFP
-22383
6-P074
15310P
02-2U3
-54112
F22212
-41725
-12132
5342F5
210-32
33-113
-P63F0
-3115P
-3115P
Age
10
8
9
9
8
8
8
8
8
9
9
6
9
9
7
7
11
7
9
8
8
10
6
7
8
7
9
8
7
7
8
7
8
8
7
8
10
8
8
7
7
Trainer
Liz Doyle
Gordon Elliott
Jamie Snowden
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
Ben Pauling
Warren Greatrex
W P Mullins
Nicky Henderson
Harry Fry
Jonjo & A J O'Neill
WP Mullins
Paul Nicholls
WP Mullins
WP Mullins
WP Mullins
Alastair Ralph
Dan Skelton
Sandy Thomson
WP Mullins
WP Mullins
Sam Thomas
WP Mullins
Olly Murphy
Dan Skelton
Joe Tizzard
Fiona Needham
Dan Skelton
WP Mullins
Gordon Elliott
Toby Lawes
Venetia Williams
Joe Tizzard
Dan Skelton
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Henry De Bromhead
Paul Nicholls
Mel Rowley
Faye Bramley
Lucinda Russell
Lucinda Russell

💡 Scottish Grand National Betting Tips

Now that you’re familiar with the 2025 Scottish Grand National runners, entries, and odds, let’s take a closer look at key historical trends. Our expert betting tips, backed by detailed analysis, will help you make more informed choices ahead of the big race.

  • Check Runners aged between 8 and 10: Of the last 21 Scottish Grand National renewals, an incredible 17 have been won by runners aged eight or older. If we drill down deeper into this statistic, we see that 14 winners have been aged between eight and 10. This trend suits ante post favourite JohnnyWho and The Changing Man (who are both eight), although 13.00-shot Quai De Bourbon is much younger at just six years old. So, the two initial front-runners definitely offer value, particularly from an each-way betting perspective.
  • Give Weight to Lucinda Russell-trainer Runners: Not only did Lucinda Russell train 2021 winner Mighty Thunder, but she also boasts the best overall record at Ayr during the previous five jump seasons. More specifically, she has won 58 of her 335 runs here since 2020 (17.31%), while earning 167 placed finishes (49.85%). Russell is fielding Apple Away and Whistle Stop Tour in this year’s race, with the former having placed in the top two in three of her previous four outings. Russell is also the 12th-best performing jump trainer in 2024/25, winning 71 of her 486 runs overall (14.60%).
  • Consider Runners who Have Won Over 3 Miles or More: Of the last 21 Scottish Grand National iterations, 15 have been won by runners who had previously prevailed over three miles or more. Among the 2025 entrants, Lucinda Russell’s 11.00-shot Whistle Stop Tour won by 3¾ lengths over three miles at Ayr in January, while competing in the Karaoke At The Golf Inn Prestwick Handicap Chase. The Willie Mullins-trained Macdermott won the 2024 Scottish Grand National over four miles too, and the seven-year-old will compete again this year.

🔮 Scottish Grand National Predictions

JohnnyWho (who’s trained by Jonjo & A J O'Neill) is the Coral Scottish Grand National 2025 favourite after losing by just a neck to Daily Present in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. The Changing Man was also a runner-up to Myretown in the Ultima Handicap Chase. You can learn more about the most fancied runners by checking out our Ayr Scottish Grand National predictions below.

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⚡Best Scottish Grand National Betting Sites

To identify the best Scottish Grand National betting sites, our team has thoroughly reviewed licensed licensed Irish bookmakers. Here’s our expert pick of the top four sites and what makes them stand out from the competition.

DirectionBet

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DirectionBet Sports offers extensive coverage of UK and Irish horse racing, including the 2025 Scottish Grand National. The site also lists extensive and easily accessible runner data, including their age, the weight they’ll be required to carry and their most recent odds history. During the course of our DirectionBet review, we uncovered several promotions for new and existing players. The welcome offer comprises a 100% first deposit match up to $100, while you can also earn reload bonuses and up to €50 in free bet tokens each month.

Boylesports

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BoyleSports is one of the premier Irish sportsbooks for horse racing and National Hunt betting. When wagering on events like the Scottish Grand National, you can access additional each-way places and increase your chances of winning, while you may also have your stake refunded as a free bet if your runner finishes second to a starting favourite. In our BoyleSports review, you’ll find details of the site’s welcome offer too. This unlocks up to €30 in free bets when you initially wager €10 at minimum odds of 2.00.

Spreadex

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Next on our list is Spreadex, which is the only site that offers both fixed odds and spread betting. This sportsbook offers extensive coverage of horse racing and events like the Scottish Grand National, where each-way bets will pay out at odds of 1/5 across the first five places.

As a fixed odds bettor, you’re eligible to receive up to €60 in free bets. Simply place a €10 fixed odds wager at 1.50 or above to qualify. Your bonus will include 3 x £10 fixed odds free wagers and 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets. You can learn more about these promotions by reading our Spreadex review.

LeoVegas

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LeoVegas Sports is one of the best sites for horse racing in Ireland. This sportsbook is particularly renowned for its horse racing specials and competitive ante post odds, while you can also live stream selected meetings through the website. There are two sports welcome offers at LeoVegas. The first entitles you to €30 in free bets when you wager €10 at odds of 1.50 or greater. You can also claim a 100% profit boost on your first bet, up to the value of €100. You’ll have to place an initial €10 qualifying bet at minimum odds of 2.00.

📊 Ayr Racecourse Key Facts

Despite being inaugurated in 1867, the Scottish Grand National didn’t move to Ayr Racecourse until 1966. This means that the race is now contested over four miles (6,538 metres), on a left-handed, galloping oval track with a short, one furlong run-in. The race course itself measures just short of one-and-a-half miles and it comprises nine fences. So, over the course of the four-mile race, runners will have to navigate three laps and 27 highly challenging jumps.

The good news for the 2025 Scottish Grand National runners is that the course has well-graduated and manageable turns, along with a steady downhill run towards the home turn. However, runners must contend with a slight upward slope as they approach the finish line. During the spring and winter months, the going at Ayr tends to be firm and the course sharp. Because of this and the steady downward run towards the home turn, runners who are prominent and like to lead from the front are likely to perform well during the Scottish National. Leaders can certainly build momentum as they approach the home turn.

3 Ayr Racecourse Facts:

  • Not only is Lucinda Russell the most successful Ayr trainer over last five seasons, but she also has a 13-66 win record during the 2024/25 jump campaign
  • Jockey Derek Fox has performed the best at Ayr this season, winning on seven of his 27 outings (25.92%). He has also recorded the most wins here since the beginning of 2020 (29)
  • Over the last five seasons, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede are the most successful owners at Ayr. Their runners have won 18 out of 71 races during this time (25.35%)

ℹ️ Scottish Grand National Jockey & Trainer Statistics

When picking potential winners of the Coral Scottish Grand National in 2025, analysing the relevant jockey and trainer combinations is crucial. As we’ve touched on, some trainers have an outstanding track record at Ayr, while certain runners and jockeys may also benefit from the course’s largely downhill run. Other jockeys and trainers may also be performing particularly well during the current season. Here’s a summary of the leading jump jockeys and trainers in 2024/25 so far.

Top 5 Jump Jockeys

Let’s start by looking at the top five jump jockeys in 2024. Sam Twiston-Davies has won 100 of his 610 runs in 2024/25 (16.39%) and ranks third overall, while he won consecutive Scottish Nationals when riding Vicente in 2016 and 2017.

Jockey
Rides
Wins
Win Rate
Sean Bowen
845
162
19%
Harry Skelton
606
131
22%
Sam Twiston-Davies
610
100
16%
Harry Cobden
475
99
21%
Gavin Sheehan
512
95
19%
Jockey
Sean Bowen
Harry Skelton
Sam Twiston-Davies
Harry Cobden
Gavin Sheehan
Rides
845
606
610
475
512
Wins
162
131
100
99
95
Win Rate
19%
22%
16%
21%
19%

Top 5 Jump Trainers

All of the five best jump trainers in 2024/25 have entered runners into this year’s Scottish National. These include Paul Nicholls, who also trained Vicente to consecutive wins at Ayr in 2016 and 2017. 2024 winner Macdermott was also trained by the excellent and prolific Willie Mullins stable.

Trainer
Rides
Wins
Win Rate
Dan Skelton
878
156
18%
Paul Nicholls
462
84
18%
Nicky Henderson
346
67
19%
WP Mullins
113
21
19%
Olly Murphy
510
124
24%
Trainer
Dan Skelton
Paul Nicholls
Nicky Henderson
WP Mullins
Olly Murphy
Rides
878
462
346
113
510
Wins
156
84
67
21
124
Win Rate
18%
18%
19%
19%
24%

📃 Scottish Grand National 2025 Dates

The Scottish Grand National is part of a two-day festival at Ayr, while it’s also one of several standout events at the course scheduled throughout the year. Here’s a look at some of the key dates and fixtures in 2025.

Month
Date
Event
Time
Race Type
April
April 11th
Coral Handicap Hurdle
16:25
Handicap Hurdle
April
April 12th
Coral Scottish Grand National 2025
15:35
National Hunt Steeplechase
September
September 20th
Ayr Gold Cup
TBC
Flat Handicap Horse Race
Month
April
April
September
Date
April 11th
April 12th
September 20th
Event
Coral Handicap Hurdle
Coral Scottish Grand National 2025
Ayr Gold Cup
Time
16:25
15:35
TBC
Race Type
Handicap Hurdle
National Hunt Steeplechase
Flat Handicap Horse Race

🎯 BetInIreland’s Final Say

Contested over four miles and 27 jumps, the Scottish Grand National is difficult to both win and predict. To this end, there have been just two multiple winners since 2003, while no trainer has produced more than two victors during the same period. However, our team's expert betting tips and detailed bookmaker reviews can help you to make the most informed selections. You can also leverage qualifying sportsbook bonuses to maximise any potential returns.

❓ SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL BETTING FAQS

Are Ante-post bets available on the Scottish Grand National?

Yes, all of our recommended betting sites have published ante post odds ahead of the 2025 Scottish Grand National. These odds are highly competitive too, as you can back ante post favourite JohnnyWho at 9.00 at the time of writing.

Who will win the 2025 Scottish Grand National?

Although Johnny Who is the current favourite, he’ll face significant competition from The Changing Man, Hyland and Apple Away. Lucinda Russell’s Whistle Stop Tour also offers value as an each-way pick, especially having previously won over three miles and more.

Where can I watch the Scottish Grand National 2025 in Ireland, and what time does it start?

You can watch the 2025 Scottish Grand National live on Racing TV in Ireland, with the race set to start at 15:35. You may also be able to live stream the race through selected sportsbooks, including LeoVegas Sport and William Hill.

What are the best bookmakers for betting on the Scottish Grand National in Ireland?

Our pick as the best Scottish National betting site is DirectionBet Sports. However, BoyleSports offer a huge selection of bonuses (including additional each-way places), while LeoVegas provides customers with competitive ante post odds and unique specials. We’d urge you to read our bookmaker reviews to identify the best site for you.

What is the Ayr Festival all About?

The two-day Coral Scottish Grand National Festival features 15 races in total, including the National. Another standout event is the Coral Handicap Hurdle, which takes place on Friday, April 11th and is a Class 2 race. This is open to runners aged four years and older, while the race takes place on Ladies’ Day at the Grand National Festival.

How many runners participate in the Scottish Grand National?

This year, 60 runners have been entered into the Scottish Grand National. This is a large and competitive field, although it may shrink slightly in the build-up to the race. Willie Mullins has contributed most entrants at the time of writing, with 13 runners including the 2024 winner Macdermott.

About us

A business and iGaming copywriter from the UK, who has a passion for sports betting and remote casino betting. He's reviewed some of the world's leading casino platforms while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands. His content has also been featured on a number of different sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.