2025 Scottish Grand National Runners Guide, Jockeys, Star Ratings and Colours For 23 Confirmed Entries

The National bandwagon moves north of the border to Scotland this Saturday – so Sportscasting’s Andy Newton is on-hand with his 2025 Scottish Grand National runners guide and star ratings for each entry. Plus, we list the latest jockey bookings and showcase the colours – so keeping track of your fancies is made easier.

2025 Scottish Grand National Runners Will See SIX Willie Mullins Runners

Much of the attention ahead of Saturday’s big Ayr race will be on the 2025 Scottish Grand National runners for Willie Mullins – as the Irish handler is throwing a big army at the race as he tries to land the £112k prize to help his trainers’ title bid.

Willie Mullins is locked in a race for the British trainers’ jumps championship with Dan Skelton – and having trailed him by over £1.3m before Aintree is now within £100k after his remarkable 1-2-3 in the Grand National last weekend.

But with £112k on offer to the winner of the Scottish National and only two weeks of the season left – this race is going to have a big impact.

At the final declaration stage Mullins, who also won the Scottish Grand National last season with Macdermott, has entered SIX runners in the Ayr race – and Skelton TWO.

Let’s take a look at the entries ahead of Saturday’s Ayr race. Where there have been 23 runners confirmed.

2025 Scottish Grand National Race Details

📅Date: Saturday 12th April 2025
⌚Time: 3:35pm
🏇Racecourse: Ayr
🔄Trip: 4m
💷Winner: £112,540
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV

See the full ITV Racing Saturday schedule here.

2025 Scottish Grand National Runners Guide and 5-Star Ratings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. Mr Incredible

Former Willie Mullins runner, who was second in the Midlands National last season but has lost his way badly since. Now with Sandy Thomson and has a reputation now as an unreliable character who has failed to complete in his last five starts.

Would be a huge shock – especially with a huge 12st to lump round (less Alice Stevens’ 3lb claim).

Star Rating: ⭐

2. Henry’s Friend

Ran 5th in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (old Hennessy) this season and backed that up with a nice win at the same track in December. Last seen running 8th in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival off his new 7lb higher mark.

Dropped a pound since and could improve for the longer trip – squeak.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

3. Our Power

11th in the 2023 Aintree Grand National. Consistent 10 year-old, who has won four of his 13 chase runs – and been in the top three eight times. However, last win came in February 2023 and is still rated 2lbs higher than that.

The useful Dylan Johnston’s 3lb claim helps but a place might be the best he can hope for.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

4. Olympic Man

Of the six Willie Mullins 2025 Scottish Grand National runners he’s the only last-time-out winner – which came at Naas last month. But that win was over 2m4f so the 4m trip here a big unknown with 3m the furthest he’s gone.

On a plus is lightly raced over fences (3 runs) so could have more improvement to come and being trained by Mullins you can’t rule any of his runners out.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

5. Macdermott

Won this last year and will be looking to join Vincente and Androma as back-to-back winners since 1985. Up 5lbs from last year though and has not sparkled since in his four runs – failing to complete in three of them. The positive is we know he stays and acts well on the track and at only 7 years-old could easily bounce back.

Sure to have been trained for this one race all season, so must enter the mix despite his poor form of late.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

6. Famous Bridge

Won the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February and has since run well to be 6th in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival off 4lb higher. Dropped a pound since that last run and we know he stays, plus is also a course winner at Ayr over hurdles.

That said, will need a career-best off this mark.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

7. Captain Cody

The next Willie Mullins runner, who was last seen unseating in the NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Before that ran 3rd to Three Card Brag at Navan and at the age of 7 is another that’s open to more improvement. Is, however, yet to win over fences (0-4) so that lack of experience in a race like this is the worry.

Regardless, is still sure to be popular and it would be no shock if he runs well.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

8. Surrey Quest

Runner-up in 2024 but returns on a 6lb higher rating. Staying power assured and has since run well this season – including when 3rd in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February – with the winner Magna Sam also entered here but is 10lbs better off with that runner this time.

Has been freshened up since with a 69-day break, but the Scottish National trends tell us ALL of the last 21 winners had run within the last 57 days.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

9. Chosen Witness

The best backed of the six Willie Mullins runners, and it’s not had to see why. Still only 8, he was in the process of running well until unseating Paul Townend at Navan last time. But the winner there Better Days Ahead is a useful sort and the runner-up Stellar Story has since franked the form by running second in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was also a winner at this meeting over hurdles last season (3m 1/2f) so we know the track suits. Owned too by the same connections as Cheltenham Festival Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes.

However, seems little value now and is still 0-3 over fences, plus the stats also tell us the last winning outright favourite was in 1999. He also falls down on two key trends – not running in the last 57 days and not finishing in the top six last time out.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

10. Spanish Harlem

The next of the Willie Mullins 2025 Scottish Grand National runners and has form in this race – when 6th last year. Yes, is still 0-8 over fences, so that is a worry, but is back on a 4lb lower mark and is also 9lbs better off this time with last year’s winner Macdermott.

Connections are also reaching for the first-time cheekpieces and despite being 33 lengths adrift of Nick Rockett in the Thyestes Chase in January – that form has been given a boast with the winner landing the big one at Aintree last Saturday.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

11. Hasthing

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Has taken a step forward this season with two wins at Windsor and ran a fine 4th at Ascot to the improving Victtorino in February too. Last seen falling in the NH Chase at Cheltenham – but even though he didn’t look like winning that late tumble probably cost him a place.

Was staying on well till that fall over 3m6f, so this step up in trip looks sure to sure and if none the worse for it looks interesting for the JP McManus silks – who is yet to win this prize.

The first-time cheekpieces are also on here.

12. Rock My Way

Sticking with the NH Chase at Cheltenham, this Tizzard runner took advantage of all the late falls to take second behind Haiti Couleurs – beaten just 4 1/2 lengths. That was only his second run for the yard after coming from the Anthony Charlton team in January and is only a pound higher this time.

Looks a staying chaser with more to come and has only been out of the first three once from his eight chase starts. Chance.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

13. Sail Away

Course winner from the Dan Skelton yard, who will be trying to halt the Willie Mullins bandwagon. He’s a horse that’s had his issues in the past but has returned on a nice mark and last time at Warwick (2nd) showed he still retains his ability and is also a past course winner.

Of the bigger-priced runners, would not be without a squeak with Harry Skelton a plus in the plate.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

14. Wiseguy

From the powerful Nicky Henderson yard, who are yet to win this race. Gets in with just 10-7 in weight and last seen running 7th in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Lightly-raced over fences (6 runs) for his age and is only 4lbs higher than his last win, which came at Newbury back in November.

Trip, however, an unknown – but hard to totally rule out for top connections and rider.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

15. Flash De Touzaine

One of the few recent winners in the field – having been successful at Limerick last month. Up 7lbs for that and will be trying to become the second Irish-trained winner of the race in the last two years. Was also 12 in last seasons’ Kim Muir behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin and was also third in this race back in 2023 off a pound higher rating.

Based on his proven form in the race and coming here off the back of a win – has to enter the mix as a lively outsider.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

16. Walking On Air

Would have won at Doncaster two runs back had he not fallen at the last. Has since run down the field in the Kim Muir and changed stables to join the Faye Bramley team.

Capable on that Doncaster run but is still 0-6 over fences so a bit to prove.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

17. The Kniphand

From the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard, who has won this race three times since 1992. Last seen running well to be second in the Grimthrope Chase- a race that two of the last 21 winners took in. Up 2lbs more for that here but only 7 years-old and could have more in the locker.

Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies has form in the race too – winning it twice on the Vincente

Has also only been out of the first three once from his seven chase runs. Could go well.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

18. Grozni

Another that ran in the Kim Muir last time – when 6th, beaten 16 lengths. Down 2lbs for that helps but is another that has big unknowns around the trip.

On a plus connections have booked the promising Callum Pritchard to ride and he can also claim a handy 5lbs.

Star Rating: ⭐

19. Dom Of Mary

Yet another that ran in the Kim Muir – he was 8th. Down a pound here from that but also had a 7lb claimer on the last day and doesn’t here.

Has, however, plenty of stamina – having won over 3m 4 1/2f in the past and could be fresher than most with this only being his third run this year and fourth since a wind op last summer.

Star Rating: ⭐

20. Snipe

Second of the 2025 Scottish Grand National runners for the Dan Skelton yard and not without a squeak, despite his price. He ran third at Warwick last time, with his stablemate Sail Away in second – but there is a huge weight pull in his favour this time.

With 7lb claimer Harry Atkins, who was on Sail Away now riding Snipe. Add in that Snipe was giving Sail Away 5lbs last time and now gets 6lbs off him – all this equates to a 20+ weight turn-a-round for just 6 3/4 lengths.

Looks an interesting outsider.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

21. Klarc Kent

Was 4th in the race last year but is rated 8lbs lower this time. Was only beaten 6 1/4 lengths 12 months ago too and last year got 5lbs off Macdermott but gets a massive 18lbs this time. Has, however, been poor since and is 0-11 over fences so a leap of faith is required.

But based on the weights from last year can’t be totally ruled out especially as he’s got a Mr Mullins training him still.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

22. Magna Sam

The oldest runner in the field at 11, but the race has seen two winners of this age since 2012, so it’s not against him. Stays all day too – having won the Edinburgh National this season already – but is up 10lbs from that run.

That said, was also a fine 5th in this in 2023 off a 4lb higher mark, so another of the bigger-priced runner that enters the mix with his proven stamina.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐

23. Brandt

Final runner and heads here having won last time out at Leopardstown in Ireland. That win also came over 3m 4 1/2f so staying the trip will be fine and has Sean Bowen catches the eye in the saddle. Is up 10lbs from that last win though and also had a 5lb claimer in that day – so much more on his plate.

But progressive, has a light racing weight, stays and heads here in form.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐