2025 Scottish Grand National Tips - Odds, trends and two tips for Ayr

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 10 Apr 2025

Jon Vine 10 Apr 2025

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Our guide to the 2025 Scottish Grand National
This historic handicap takes place at Ayr on Saturday 12th April
Olympic Man and Brandt are our best betting tips

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The Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase at Ayr. (Getty)

The biggest event in Scottish National Hunt racing takes place on Saturday, as a talented field of chasers takes part in the Scottish Grand National. First held in 1867, this grueling four-mile chase was originally held at Bogside racecourse, but was moved to Ayr after Bogside closed in 1965.

Here are the latest odds and some key trends for the 2025 Scottish Grand National, plus our best betting tips.

2025 Scottish Grand National Odds

Name	Odds
Chosen Witness	9/2
Macdermott	7/1
Olympic Man	8/1
Rock My Way	10/1
Captain Cody	12/1
Henry's Friend	12/1
Surrey Quest	12/1
Bar	14/1

2024 Scottish Grand National Trends

17 of the last 17 winners had won on the ground
16 of the last 17 winners had won over 3m or further
15 of the last 17 winners had run after the 1st March
15 of the last 17 winners had between 4 and 6 starts that season
14 of the last 17 winners had won during that season
14 of the last 17 winners weighed 11-01 or less
13 of the last 17 winners were no older than nine-years-old
13 of the last 17 winners won or placed last time out
11 of the last 17 winners went off at 12/1 or longer

Willie Mullins will play a strong hand in this year's Scottish National, as he did on the way to the Champion Trainer title 12 months ago. After Paul Townend opted to ride Spanish Harlem, ante-post favourite Macdermott ended up going off at 18/1, and managed to claim a narrow victory under Danny Mullins.

Since the Grand National meeting, Townend has been struggling with an injury and it looks like he won't be riding at Ayr this weekend. Sean O'Keeffe has been confirmed in the saddle of market leader Chosen Witness, who is yet to win over fences during his novice campaign.

Danny Mullins reprises his partnership with Macdermott, who's best result since last year's victory is a 90-length defeat at Leopardstown. Harry Cobden will partner with Captain Cody. Brian Hayes and Jonny Burke ride the outsiders of Willie's sextet, Spanish Harlem and Klarc Kent.

2025 Scottish Grand National Tip 1 - Olympic Man

Patrick Mullins will ride the novice OLYMPIC MAN (8/1) as he looks to complete a British and Scottish Grand National double. Willie's eight-year-old jumped poorly on his chasing debut at Punchestown, but still managed to finish a fairly close fourth as Dancing City saw off Shannon Royale and Mossy Fen Park.

Olympic Man then disappointed as the favourite in a Beginners Chase at Navan, fading back into sixth as Three Card Brag took over. A calamitous error at the final flight allowed Foxy Girl to open up a lead on the favourite at Naas last time out, but to his credit, Olympic Man fought back bravely to claim a narrow victory.

Mullins' eight-year-old has now won three of his four starts in March, with his only defeat coming at Fairyhouse's Irish National meeting 12 months ago, where he was narrowly beaten by Mousey Brown in a three-mile handicap hurdle. Olympic Man seems to come into his own at this time of year and, if his jumping has improved again since Naas, he could be the best of Willie Mullins' raiders.

2025 Scottish Grand National Tip 2 - Brandt

The last horse to get into this year's Scottish Grand National is Cian Collins' raider, BRANDT (25/1). It's been almost 20 years since a horse rated in the low-120s has won this historic handicap, but there's plenty to like about the bottom-weight, not least the booking of Champion Jockey-elect, Sean Bowen.

Having been rated in the mid-90s for Henry Oliver, Brandt made a winning start to life in Ireland with a handicap victory at Rosscommon in August. Four starts later, Collins' recruit was touched off under 12-00 at Thurles by Cullenwaine, before suffering another narrow defeat in another staying handicap at Fairyhouse, where Carl Miller's mount was beaten by One Horse Army.

Brandt was then held up in the Dublin National at Leopardstown in early March, and powered home from the rear to win convincingly. Tiernan Power Roche's mount saw out three-and-a-half miles well that day, leaving both One Horse Army and Cullenwaine trailing in his wake.

This represents a stiff step up in class for Collins' improving seven-year-old, but Brandt brings momentum into Saturday's feature and he's shown a clear liking for nicer ground. 25/1 could turn out to be a nice price.

Live Stream

Visit our Scottish Grand National Live Stream page if you want to watch any race from Ayr via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2025 Scottish Grand National

Olympic Man and Brandt are our two against the field for the 2025 Scottish Grand National.

Olympic Man

2025 Scottish Grand National

@8/1 - 5 Units

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Brandt E/W

2025 Scottish Grand National

@25/1 - 5 Units

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