Cheltenham and Aintree may be in the books for another year, but the National Hunt season still has a few treats in store. The Scottish and Irish Grand National fixtures edge ever closer, followed by what promises to be a thrilling seasonal finale at Sandown as the battle for the trainer's title comes down to the wire.
Ayr is next to the jumps racing party, with the Scottish track taking centre stage this coming weekend. Kicking off on Friday, 11th April, the two-day Scottish Grand National meeting is the biggest and best jumps fixture held north of the border, bar none.
Home to the Scottish Champion Hurdle and the Scottish Grand National, the meeting encompasses 15 cracking contests, with the pick of the action coming on an enthralling Saturday card.
Fifteen races present fifteen punting opportunities. Here, using the results at the meeting between 2014 and 2024, we highlight the trainers, jockeys, and sires who have fared best at this springtime highlight. And for those looking to have a punt, we use this information to pick out our four best bets for what promises to be a cracking edition of the festival.
Top Five Trainers
Dan Skelton currently leads the way in the British Trainer’s Championship, but only just, with defending champion Willie Mullins now breathing down his neck. If Skelton is to cling on, he will surely need to enjoy a productive couple of days at Ayr. The challenge from Mullins will be numerically stronger than average this year, but our table suggests that Skelton may at least make a fist of it.
Skelton’s 17 wins were split almost evenly between hurdles and chases (seven hurdle wins, eight chase wins) and came over a range of distances (four 2m wins, eight at 2m4f-2m5f, and five at 3m+).
Skelton’s former employer, Paul Nicholls, came next with a solid eleven wins. Nicholls also showed his versatility with six hurdle wins, four chase wins, and one win in the bumper, and was dangerous over all distances (four at 2m, three at 2m4f, and three at 3m+).
In a list dominated by big names, Nicky Henderson sits third. True to his traditional strong point, six of Henderson’s successes came in 2m events, four were in chases, two in the bumper, and only one over hurdles.
In contrast, four of Lucinda Russell’s victories came in hurdle contests, with four of five coming in events at 2m4f+.
Scottish native Alan King rounds out our top five and struck in three hurdles, one chase, and the bumper, registering three wins at 2m and two at 3m.
2025 Entries
Dan Skelton:
Roxanne (Abbott Risk Consulting Mares’ Maiden Hurdle)
Ace Of Spades (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Theformismighty (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Riskintheground (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Sail Away (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Asta La Pasta (Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
Nurse Susan (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Out Out (Jardine Utilities Race To Repair “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle)
Asta La Pasta (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Harper’s Brook (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Etalon (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Unexpected Party (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Theformismighty (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Coco Mademoiselle (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Major Fortune (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Valgrand (Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Nurse Susan (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Pawapuri (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Theformismighty (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Snipe (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Sail Away (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap)
Land Genie (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Ace Of Spades (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Pony Soprano (Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle)
Paul Nicholls:
Tutti Quanti (Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle)
Liari (Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle)
Histrionic (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Kruger Park (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Il Ridoto (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Outlaw Peter (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Tahmuras (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Gelino Bello (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Paso Doble (Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
Irish Hill (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Red Risk (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Paso Doble (Jardine Utilities Race To Repair “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle)
Below The Radar (Jardine Utilities Race To Repair “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle)
Kabral Du Mathan (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Histrionic (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Quebecois (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Jakar Du Moulin (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Wicked Thoughts (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Quebecois (Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle)
Gillespie (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Zamek (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Sinnatra (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Nicky Henderson
Bective Abbey (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Fierce Warrior (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Kintail (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Persian Time (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Will Carver (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Ile De Jersey (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Persian Time (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
East India Express (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Captain Morgs (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Montecam (Jardine Utilities Race To Repair “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle)
Ideal Des Bordes (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Under Control (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Joyeusse (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Aston Martini (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Wiseguy (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Calimystic (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Calimystic (Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle)
La Pinsonniere Joe (Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle)
Sutherland (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Lucinda Russell
Kingston James (Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle)
Lets Mingle (Abbott Risk Consulting Mares’ Maiden Hurdle)
Kanitamay (Abbott Risk Consulting Mares’ Maiden Hurdle)
Lady In The Park (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Fox’s Fancy (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Traprain Law (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Walk On Quest (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
From The Clouds (Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
Bold Light (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Walking On A Dream (Jardine Utilities Race To Repair “Hands & Heels” Handicap Hurdle)
Traprain Law (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Netywell (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Whistle Stop Tour (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Walk On Quest (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Lady In The Park (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Golden Point (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Fox’s Fancy (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Your Own Story (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Whistle Stop Tour (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Apple Away (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Hay Meadow (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Golden Point (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices Handicap Hurdle)
Jupiter Des Mottes (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Conman John (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Stride On (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Alan King
Big Boy Bobby (Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle)
Irish Chorus (Abbott Risk Consulting Mares’ Maiden Hurdle)
Off The Jury (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Masaccio (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Off The Jury (Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle)
Top Eight Jockeys
With Dan Skelton fairing so well amongst the trainers, it is no surprise to see his number one jockey and brother, Harry Skelton, sitting atop the jockey standings. Harry’s wins were split almost evenly between hurdles and chases (five hurdles, six chases) and over distances (four at 2m, five at 2m4f-2m5f, and three at 3m+).
Sean Bowen’s wins were for six different trainers, with five in hurdle events and four in 3m contests.
Five of Sam-Twiston Davies’ wins came for former main employer Paul Nicholls, with three in chases, two in hurdles, and one in a bumper. Sam won twice at 2m, once at 2m5f, and three times at 3m+.
Harry Cobden’s wins all came for Paul Nicholls, with four in hurdle contests and only one in a chase (two at 2m, two at 2m4f, and one at 3m).
Sean Quinlan won for three different trainers – twice at 2m and once at 4m.
Nicky Henderson provided Nico de Boinville with all three of his wins (a 2m Bumper, a 2m Chase, and a 3m Chase).
Danny McMenamin also picked up wins for three different trainers (two 2m chases and a 2m5f hurdle).
Two of Brian Hughes' wins came in the bumper, with the third in a 2m4f chase.
2025 Booked Rides
Riding arrangements are yet to be confirmed for the 2025 meeting. However, there are several booked rides which may be worth noting.
Harry Skelton:
Asta La Pasta (Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
Sean Bowen:
The Four Sixes (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Brandt (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Sam Twiston-Davies:
Gabriel’s Getaway (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Harry Cobden:
Kabral Du Mathan (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Sean Quinlan:
Famous Bridge (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Nico de Boinville:
Ideal Des Bordes (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Aston Martini (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Wiseguy (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Sutherland (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
Danny McMenamin:
Maghlaak (Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle)
Belvedere Blast (Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle)
Ned Tanner (Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase)
Florida Dreams (Coral Handicap Hurdle)
Tommy’s Oscar (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Ruby Island (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Baratablet (Stagecoach We’ve Got You Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)
Brian Hughes:
Malystic (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Kihavah (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Lavida Adiva (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Chase)
Gale Mahler (Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle)
Moonbow (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
13 Lucky Sires
No sire managed to get close to double figures in our sample, with the above 13 the only stallions to produce three or more winners at the meeting.
Four of Getaway’s five wins came over hurdles, but he proved versatile regarding the trip, with wins from 2m-3m.
All of Dom Alco’s wins came at 3m+, four of which were in chases.
Flemensfirth showed a similar pattern, with all four wins at 2m4f+, including three chases.
All three of Westerner's wins came over 2m-2m4f, as did those of Voix Du Nord.
Shirocco picked up his three wins in hurdle contests, whilst all three of Presenting’s came in chase events.
Old Vic struck twice in 3m hurdles and once in the Bumper.
Milan’s three wins came in 2m5f-3m hurdles.
Martaline’s winners all came in 2m5f-3m contests.
Kayf Tara’s wins all came over 2m4f-3m.
Malinas showed greater versatility with wins over 2m, 2m4f, and 4m.
Fame And Glory hit the target twice in the Bumper and once in a 3m hurdle.
2025 Entries
Getaway:
Gabriel’s Getaway (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Rock My Way (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Dom Alco:
No entries.
Flemensfirth:
No Entries
Westerner:
Western Diego (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Ooh Betty (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Welsh Charger (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Mr Incredible (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Voix Du Nord:
No Entries.
Shirocco:
Henry’s Friend (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Presenting:
No entries.
Old Vic:
No entries.
Milan:
Surrey Quest (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Martaline:
Tullyhill (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Traprain Law (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Unexpected Party (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Sail Away (Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Olympic Man (Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Malinas:
Malystic (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Dysart Enos (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Kayf Tara:
No entries.
Fame and Glory:
Guard Your Dreams (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Wiseguy (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Famous Bridge (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Four To Back for Trends Fans
When sifting through the entries for 2025, just one horse benefits from a leading trainer, jockey and sire at this meeting, and he runs in the biggest race of all:
Wiseguy (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Whilst notable that Wiseguy earns a tick in all three boxes, his trainer Nicky Henderson did most of his winning in 2m contests, whilst two of sire Fame And Glory’s wins came over the minimum trip. That said, Wiseguy has often hinted that a step up in trip may suit. On balance, we would rather not leave him unbacked for the big race.
The following runners are trained by a leading trainer and have a top jockey booked for the ride:
Asta La Pasta (Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
Aston Martini (UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle)
Ideal Des Bordes (CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase)
Kabral Du Mathan (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Sutherland (Brandinghub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race)
The following benefit from a leading trainer and sire:
Sail Away (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Traprain Law (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Unexpected Party (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
The following benefit from a leading jockey and sire:
Famous Bridge (Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase)
Gabriel’s Getaway (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Malystic (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
When analysing the above lists with regard to the type of race their trainer/jockey/sire has traditionally performed well in, the following trio appear to be the best fits for the 2025 meeting:
Asta La Pasta (Seko Logistics Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)
Kabral Du Mathan (Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle)
Malystic (Scotty Brand Handicap Chase)
Recommended Bet: Wiseguy each way @ 25/1 with BetFred (Saturday 3:35)
Recommended Bet: Asta La Pasta each way @ Best Morning Price (Friday 3:50)
Recommended Bet: Kabral Du Mathan to win @ 6/1 with BetWay (Saturday 2:15)
Recommended Bet: Malystic each way at Best Morning Price @ (Saturday 1:10)
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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