Scottish Grand National Betting Odds, Tips & Runners List
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The 2026 Scottish Grand National will take place on Saturday 18th April, at Ayr Racecourse. This is one of three Class 1 races scheduled during the two-day Coral Scottish Grand National Festival, which commences with Ladies Day on Friday, 17th April.
Below, we’ll analyse the latest ante post odds from Ireland’s best online bookmakers. Our experts will also provide some Scottish Grand National betting tips, based on historic trends and the form of the key contenders.
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🎲 Scottish Grand National Betting Odds – Outrights
Seven of the previous 20 Scottish National renewals have featured multiple starting favourites (35.0%), while King of Answers and Quebecois are both priced at 11.00 to win in 2026 too. These odds imply a 9.1% win probability for both runners.
Ask Brewster, Kim Roque, One Big Bang and Transmission can all be backed at 13.00 with BoyleSports and have a 7.7% chance of success. This year’s field is incredibly competitive, so here’s an overview of the latest Scottish Grand National 2026 odds across the top 10 runners.
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⚠️Odds are subject to change. Please check before placing your bets.
🏇 Scottish Grand National Runners - Horses & Entries
Now, we’re going to reveal the current list of Scottish Grand National horses for 2026. We’ve split these runners in different horse racing categories, including key contenders, notable challengers and potential longshots.
Just note that while there are currently 49 proposed entrants, a maximum field of 30 runners is permitted for the race. The final list of confirmed horses will be published during race week.
Key Contenders Runners List
Notable Challengers Runners List
Other Entered Horses
💡 Scottish Grand National Betting Tips
Like the Irish Grand National, the Scottish alternative is a Class 1 handicap chase that features a large and competitive field. It’s also contested over approximately four miles and features 27 challenging jumps.
What’s more, just three starting favourites have triumphed in the previous 20 Scottish National iterations (15.0%). While the race may be difficult to call, however, it creates ample opportunity for value and each-way betting. Here are some Scottish Grand national betting tips based on the most compelling trend factors.
- Check Runners Aged Between 7 and 9: Of the last 20 Scottish Grand National renewals, 14 have been won by runners aged between seven and nine (70.0%). This includes seven of the previous 10 victors. Since 2005, Willie Mullins’ Macdermott is the only horse to prevail when aged younger than seven (six), with this trend factor counting against the 13.00-shot Kim Roque. However, favourites King of Answers and Quebecois both have the right age profile to succeed here.
- Prioritise Paul Nicholls’ Runners: Paul Nicholls has the best recent record in the Scottish Grand National, fielding two winners and five placed finishers since 2005. He remains one of just three trainers to record multiple Scottish National wins during this period, alongside Christian Williams and Willie Mullins. Some 36% of his runners have placed at Ayr Racecourse across all races during the previous five National Hunt seasons too, while he’s fielding the joint-favourite Quebecois in 2026.
- Appraise Recent Performances at Cheltenham: The course that has produced the most Scottish Grand National winners since 2005 is Cheltenham (four). This trend particularly favours Lucinda Russell’s King Of Answers, who placed second in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap last time out and showcased superb staying power over the three mile six furlong course.
- Look for Runners With a Recent Win: Since 2005, the most compelling trend factor in the Scottish Grand National is when runners have recorded one win within the previous 90 days. This has produced 10+ winners and an impressive LSP of +107.00, while it suits 2026 entrants King Of Answers, Ask Brewster and Transmission. However, Quebecois has failed to win any of his five chase outings to date, while One Big Bang’s sole victory over the larger fences came in the Betwright Beat The Wright Way 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase in December 2025.
- Consider Progressive Horses and Mid-Priced Runners: Not only have just three starting favourites won the Scottish Grand National since 2005, but the average SP of the previous 10 victors is 16.15. This favours progressive and mid-priced runners, and potentially slightly younger horses who are aged seven or eight and approaching their peak. The highest priced winner during the previous 10 race renewals is Joe Farrell, who prevailed despite prohibitive starting odds of 34.00.
📃 How We Choose Our Scottish Grand National Betting Tips
Across high quality handicap races like the Scottish, Irish and English Grand National, we use a similar range of trends and factors to inform our expert betting tips. This enables us to identify the best value picks across multiple markets, including each-way and place bets.
- Age Trends: As we’ve touched on, 70.0% of the last 20 Scottish Grand National winners have been aged between seven and nine. 19 of the previous 20 victors have also been aged between seven and 11 (95.0%). However, only two horses have won this race when aged younger than seven, including the 2024 victor Macdermott from France. Typically, horses peak between seven and 10, and the Ayr Racecourse suits progressive types that are entering their peak and have further room for improvement.
- Recent Form: Past form is also a key consideration, across both recent races and any previous appearances at Ayr. You should pay particular attention to how runners have performed in a similar race class, or over the relevant distance. Ask Brewster is arguably in the best form of all Scottish Grand National runners, having won four of his previous five chase outings (including two over three miles or more). His two most recent triumphs were both achieved in Class 2.
- Handicap Weight Allocation: The weight range and allocations for the 2026 Scottish Grand National have yet to be determined, but this has a significant impact on odds and each runner’s potential performance. Handicaps of this type are assigned based on live official ratings data, with the highest-ranked runner receiving the top weight in the race. All other horses will carry less weight proportionate to their rating, creating a potential advantage for progressive runners with room for improvement. In the 2025 Scottish National, the top weight was 11-11 and the lowest was fixed at 9-11.
- Official Ratings: Official ratings are set independently by the BHA handicapping team in the UK, and directly impact the weight that a horse will carry. These ratings are updated weekly based on previous performances, while they should be measured against a runner’s age and any proven ability to carry increased weight (where applicable). In the current field, Johnnywho has the highest OR of 152, but this gelding is aged nine and may have to carry a career-high weight in the 2026 Scottish National.
🔮 Scottish Grand National Predictions
If you’re intending to engage in Scottish Grand National betting today, we’d first urge you to check out our race predictions. These will be published below and can be used to inform your win market, place and each-way picks.
⚡Best Scottish Grand National Betting Sites
DirectionBet, BoyleSports, Scored Sports and Lunubet are our current picks as the best Irish Grand National betting sites. You’ll find a concise summary of these operators below, including their market coverage, odds competitiveness and current bonus offers. You can also learn more by checking out our detailed sportsbook reviews.
DirectionBet
DirectionBet Sports offers extensive coverage of UK and Irish horse racing, including the 2026 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.
The site also offers a 50% reload bonus up to $50, while the minimum odds requirement of 1.80 unlocks the vast majority of Scottish Grand National betting markets.
Boylesports
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 (up to six) 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.
This site offers the best odds guaranteed across all UK and Irish meetings too. This applies to all qualifying wagers placed after 8am on the day of the race.
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. The offer affords you a $10 casino bonus too.
Scored Sport
Scored Sport is a relative newcomer to the market, while it offers 0% margin markets on high profile events like the Scottish Grand National. This site offers an extensive livestreaming platform too, which broadcasts 150,000+ events each year including race meetings throughout the UK.
When you first register for a Scored Sport account, you’re eligible to receive a welcome package worth €1,000. This covers your first three real money deposits with the operator and includes a first deposit match of 100% up to €250.
As an existing bettor, you can claim instant cashback on qualifying losing bets, usually up to 10% depending on the precise amount staked. You can learn more by reading our comprehensive Scored Sport review.
Lunubet
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Lunubet offers highly competitive Scottish Grand National betting odds, while each-way wagers pay out at an average price of 1.25. The site even allows you to place forecast and tricast odds, unlocking enhanced odds and more sizable payouts in some instances.
If you want to bet on numerous races during the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival, Lunubet also offers an accumulator boost bonus that ranges between 3% and 100%. Your winning acca must include 21+ legs if you’re to unlock the full 100% boost. You can also claim 10% in weekly cashback, up to the value of €500.
During our Lunubet review, we also uncovered a 100% first deposit bonus up to €200 for new bettors. This promo has a minimum odds requirement of 1.50, while the combined deposit and bonus value must be wagered 6x before you can request a withdrawal.
📊 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.
This means that over the course of the four-mile Scottish National, runners will have to navigate three laps and 27 highly challenging jumps. The course is also well-graded, sharp and consistent in firm going, while it features a steady downhill run towards the home turn.
Because of this, runners who are prominent and capable of leading from the front tend to perform the best at Ayr and in the Scottish Grand National. It’s certainly possible to build considerable momentum when approaching the home turn, and this helps to compensate for a slight upward slope as that runs along the final straight.
3 Ayr Racecourse Facts
- Among all the trainers fielding entries in the 2026 Scottish Grand National, Nicky Richards has the best record at Ayr since 2021. He had fielded 198 runners at the course during this period, while producing 33 winners (17%) and 96 placed finishers (48%).
- Sam Twiston-Davies has been the most successful Scottish Grand National jockey since 2005, riding 14 horses, two winners and placing on a further four occasions. This means that 42.8% of his runners in the last 20 years have either placed or won. He’s the only jockey to ride multiple winners at Ayr since 2005.
- The worst performing trend factor in the previous 20 Scottish National renewals is when runners ran on heavy ground on their debut. When backing such runners, this trend factor has produced a record of 0-68 since 2005.
ℹ️ Scottish Grand National Jockey & Trainer Statistics
When appraising the potential Scottish Grand National favourites, it’s important to consider the best performing jump jockeys and trainers at the Ayr Racecourse. This can also reveal the most potent jockey and trainer combinations at the track. Below, you’ll find a summary of the most successful riders and trainers at Ayr over the previous five seasons.
Top 5 Jump Jockeys
Brian Hughes and Derek Fox have the most wins at Ayr during the last five seasons (34). However, among all jockeys that have ridden 20+ runners during this time, Sean Bowen has the best hit-rate with 25 victories in 89 outings (28.08%). Sean Quinlan has fielded 31 winners from 235 runners (13%), including the 2019 Scottish National winner Takingrisks.
Top 5 Jump Trainers
Nick Alexander is the best performing trainer at Ayr Racecourse since 2021, but he has no confirmed runners in the 2026 Scottish Grand National. Gordon Elliott has produced 14 winners in just 44 outings during the same period, creating the best hit-rate of any trainer to field 10+ horses (31.8%). Search for Glory and Duffle Coat will represent Elliott’s stable this year.
📃 Scottish Grand National 2026 Dates
The 2026 Scottish Grand National Festival will run for two days, between Friday, April 17th and Saturday, 18th April. Below, we’ve prepared an overview of the two key Scottish Grand national dates, including details of all 14 scheduled races and their individual start times.
Day 1 - Ladies’ Day - Friday, 17th April, 2026
Day 2 - Coral Scottish Grand National Day - Sunday, 18th April, 2026
🎯 BetInIreland’s Final Say
Horse racing events like the Scottish Grand National are incredibly difficult to call, with just three starting favourites triumphing since 2005. As a result, place and each-way picks can unlock optimal value here, especially when backing progressive or mid-price runners that are aged between seven and nine.
You can use our top online betting guide to analyse the current field and latest odds, with a view to identifying the best value picks. Our recommended bookies are also home to the best Scottish Grand National offers and free bets.
❓ SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL BETTING FAQS
Are Ante-post bets available on the Scottish Grand National?
Yes, all of our recommended bookmakers offer ante-post odds on the 2026 Scottish Grand National. However, BoyleSports are the first to publish comprehensive ante post odds, based on the initial list of entrants. Betting here may unlock optimal value when backing favourites, whose odds are likely to shorten as the race draws closer
Who will win the 2026 Scottish Grand National?
Just three starting favourites have won the Scottish Grand National since 2005, so picking an outright winner is incredibly challenging. However, King of Answers meets several key trend factors, with the seven-year-gelding performing superbly at Cheltenham last time out and heralding from a Lucinda Russell stable that has fielded 11 winners (15%) and 42 placed finishers (58%) at Ayr since 2021.
Where can I watch the Scottish Grand National 2026 in Ireland, and what time does it start?
The 2026 Scottish Grand National will be broadcast live on ITV1, which is accessible to most Irish households. It’s also available via Racing TV and selected bookmaker livestreams. The race will take place on Saturday, 18th April and is scheduled to start at 3:35pm.
What are the best bookmakers for betting on the Scottish Grand National in Ireland?
Our picks as the best Scottish Grand National bookmakers are DirectionBet, BoyleSports, Scored Sport and Lunubet. Each of these bookies offer exceptional coverage of the event and highly competitive odds, including selected 0% margin lines at Scored. BoyleSports also offers the best odds guaranteed across all UK and Irish races.
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?
Currently, there are 49 proposed entries into the 2026 Scottish Grand National. However, the final field will be capped at a maximum of 30 runners during race week, so it’s important to track the very latest news and updates online. We anticipate that the current favourites and key contenders will all be among the confirmed runners this year.
What horses are running in the Scottish Grand National?
The 2026 field will include the nine-year-old gelding Johnnywho, who won the Class 1 Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last time out. He’s one of the leading Irish horses running in the Scottish Grand National this year, alongside the favoured King Of Answers. Ask Brewster is another Irish runner, who has won on four of his previous five chase appearances.
Lewis Humphries
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.