2026 Scottish Grand National Prediction: Which horse can win at Ayr?

🏆 2026 Scottish Grand National Prediction

Since this race moved to Ayr in 1966, just two runners have triumphed when aged younger than seven. This trend factor counts against the ante-post favourite and six-year gelding Kim Roque, who belongs to the Joseph Patrick O'Brien stable. Only three Scottish Grand National runners who started as favourites have won the race during the previous 20 renewals too (15.0%).

The seven-year-old gelding King of Answers arguably offers slightly better value at odds of 6.50 with Boylesports. He raced superbly when finishing second in the C2 National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last time out, while he has placed in three of his last four steeplechase outings since December 7th, 2025.

Our pick Isaac Des Obeaux is aged eight and belongs to the Paul Nicholls’ stable. He won the Class 1 Midlands Grand National over the Scottish National distance last time out, and despite jumping right on occasions, he powered clear down the straight to prevail by eight lengths. He has also placed in each of his previous five chase outings since March 2025.

He’ll carry 11-8 in the Scottish National, which is the exact same weight he wore during his recent victory at Uttoxeter. This race also saw his OR peak at 139, with three of the previous four victors winning off a similar mark of 140. Isaac Des Obeaux offers significant value at 9.00, and our Scottish Grand National prediction is that he’ll triumph at Ayr.

🏇2026 Scottish Grand National Betting Preview

We’ve already touched on three of the Scottish Grand National betting favourites for 2026, while Ask Brewster and Road To Home are also among the fancied runners. Below, you’ll find a more detailed Scottish Grand National preview, which includes comprehensive form analysis and coverage of the best value betting markets.

1️⃣ Isaac Des Obeaux, Paul Nicholls

Isaac Des Obeaux has seen his win market odds shorten from 17.00 to 9.00 in recent weeks, with his triumph in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter representing his first success at Class 1 level.

This was also his maiden triumph over four miles or more, as he was ridden prominently early on before surging clear in the run-in. Isaac Des Obeaux is one of the most consistent runners in the 2026 Scottish National field too, having achieved a top-three finish in each of his previous five steeplechase outings.

It should also be noted that the gelding belongs to the highly successful Paul Nicholls stable. Nicholls is one of just three trainers to field multiple Scottish Grand National winners since 2005. Over the course of the previous five seasons at Ayr, 18 of Nicholls’ 50 runners have also placed (36.0%), so Isaac Des Obeaux offers clear value as a win or each-way pick.

The biggest trend factor across the last 20 Scottish National renewals is when runners had recorded a victory within the previous 90 days. This produced 10+ winners and an LSP of +107.00, and its favours Isaac Des Obeaux.

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2️⃣ King Of Answers, Lucinda Russell

King Of Answers is currently priced at 6.50 to win the 2026 Scottish National, with this Lucinda Russell-trained horse having produced an excellent run in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 10th.

Although he ultimately trailed in second and 5 ½ lengths behind winner Holloway Queen, the gelding was initially held up in the rear and quickly made up ground after finding some headway. He also demonstrated excellent staying power down the final straight, despite having never previously competed over three miles or more.

Although he doesn’t have a Class 1 victory to his name, he did triumph in the C2 Timeform Handicap Chase at Kelso on February 13th. Overall, King Of Answers has won two of his previous four chases and placed at least on three occasions, so he’ll arrive at Ayr with some decent momentum.

Lucinda Russell’s record at Ayr is also excellent. During the last five seasons, she has fielded 312 runners and 56 winners, creating a hit-rate of 17.9%. She has also recorded 159 placed finishers (50.9%), and knows what’s required to perform well at Ayr. So, King Of Answers offers definite value in the place market here.

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3️⃣ Ask Brewster, Mrs C. Williams

Of all the listed Scottish Grand National runners this year, Ask Brewster is arguably in the best form. This seven-year-old gelding has won on four of his last five chase outings, including the C2 Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month.

He timed his run well over the 3m 2f course, riding prominently throughout before joining the run-in and prevailing by a neck from Scottish National rival Road To Home. Interestingly, he also finished eight lengths ahead of the Scottish National favourite Kim Roque, who trailed in fourth and was unable to keep pace with the leaders in the final 110 yards.

Ask Brewster’s OR has now peaked at 135, but this means that he’ll carry a career-high 11-4 in weight during the Scottish National. He carried 11-3 in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase at Sandown on December 6th, but weakened down the stretch here to finish fifth in a field of six and 15 lengths off the pace.

This may deter you from backing Ask Brewster in the win market, even at odds of 11.00 with BoyleSports. However, he offers definite value to place at Ayr, while you could also consider backing him using one of the many free bet offers from our recommended horse racing sites.

• 11.00
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📊 2026 Scottish Grand National Winners

Willie Mullins' Scottish Grand National betting is particularly popular ahead of the 2026 iteration, with the Irish trainer having fielded the last two winners at Ayr. He, Christian Williams and Paul Nicholls have each won two of the last 20 race iterations. Here’s a summary of the last five victors, including their rider, trainer and starting price.