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Scottish Grand National 2026 runners confirmed as Willie Mullins causes surprise
Reach Daily Express | April 14, 2026 3:39 AM CST

King of Answers leads the betting for Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National with the field now finalised for Ayr's flagship event. The Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore-trained runner is heavily fancied to claim Saturday's £200,000 jumping spectacle. Aintree maestro Willie Mullins, who has claimed the prize for the past two years with Macdermott and Captain Cody, has sparked a surprise by fielding just one contender as he seeks to follow up his Liverpool triumph with I Am Maximus.

Mullins sends out only Road to Rome, while UK champion-trainer elect Dan Skelton has no runner in the four-mile marathon. Blaze The Way, trained in Ireland by Mags Mullins, carries top weight after 25 confirmations were lodged for the race on Monday. Russell captured the prize five years ago when Mighty Thunder stormed to glory and King of Answers could well deliver a repeat performance.

The seven-year-old put in a superb showing at the Cheltenham Festival last month when finishing runner-up to Holloway Queen in the National Hunt Chase.

Other prominent contenders to remain in the race at this juncture are Joseph O'Brien's Kim Roque and Quebecois, who also secured a place at Cheltenham. Montregard is set to attempt a famous double for his owner JP McManus following the success of I Am Maximus.

Following their run in Liverpool, Banbridge, Johnnywho, Mr Vango, Jordans, Top Of The Bill and Twig were all withdrawn from the Ayr contest at the five-day stage, while Konfusion featured on the same card and Search For Glory competed in this month's Irish Grand National.

The final field for the Scottish Grand National will be confirmed on Thursday morning once the remaining declarations are completed ahead of Friday's two-day meeting getting underway.

While Skelton has no representative in the feature race, he saddles market leader Tellherthename in the £100,000 Scottish Champion Hurdle, with Nicky Henderson's Kharisma next in the market with 34 still in contention at this point for the two-mile hurdle showpiece.

1. Blaze The Way, Mags Mullins

2. Quebecois, Paul Nicholls

3. King Of Answers, Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore

4. Isaac Des Obeaux, Paul Nicholls

5. Our Power, Sam Thomas

6. Road To Home, Wille Mullins

7. Guard The Moon, Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies

8. Herakles Westwood, Warren Greatrex

9. Ask Brewster, Cath Williams

10. Duffle Coat, Gordon Elliott

11. Katate Dori, Sam Thomas

12. Stolen Silver, Georgina Nicholls

13. Famous Bridge, Nicky Richards

14. Montregard, Tom Lacey

15. Maximilian, Donald McCain

16. Gabbys Cross, Nick Scholfield

17. Kim Roque, Joseph O'Brien

18. Collectors Item, Jonjo and AJ O'Neill

19. Git Maker, Jamie Snowden

20. Kap Vert, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White

21. Val Dancer, Mel Rowley

22. Promontory, Sarah Connell

23. Chasingouttheblues, Mark Walford

24. J'Arrive De L'Est, Emmet Mullins

25. Magna Sam, Alastair Ralph


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