SCOTTISH Grand National day at Ayr provides fans with another taste of high-class handicap action following last week’s English equivalent.

Scotland’s most famous horse race is one of the last big events of the National Hunt season, taking place at Ayr on Saturday, April 20, afternoon at 3.35pm, as part of an exciting card comprising a total of eight races.

Having won last week’s Grand National at Aintree, Willie Mullins has brought over a strong contingent for Saturday, with six runners taking to the course.

Mr Incredible is part of his plans for the race, despite having unseated his rider Brian Hayes at Aintree just last Saturday, and is fresh for another attempt as Mullins aims to become British Champion Trainer for the first time.

The action gets underway at 1.15pm, with the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase, where Bryony Frost will hope to give Paul Nicholls a positive start to the day’s action on Sans Bruit. Tommy’s Oscar for Ann Hamilton is also well respected and could spring a surprise.

Up next, the CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase at 1.50pm could see the experienced Sharjah recover from a poor run at Cheltenham to bring up the first win of the day for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

Then, at 2:25pm, Dan Skelton will hope to secure an important win in the Champion Trainer race, with L’Eau de Sud running in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle, where £56,270 will be on offer for the winner. Meanwhile, Bialystok will be the likely strongest challenger from the Mullins camp.

At 3pm, the action continues with the Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle, where a field of 11 will be led out by a likely Mullins favourite in the form of A Penny A Hundred.

Further down the field, the appropriately named Flower of Scotland (16/1) could attract many punters.

Up next at 3.35pm, the Scottish Grand National will be the main attraction on what is a stellar card. Git Maker has held the favourite tag in the build-up, but could drift pre-race should Mullins enjoy early success on the day.

As a potential result, Macdermott will likely pick up some late backing as Rachael Blackmore’s ride on Whacker Clan is one to keep an eye on.

With three races left in the day, there is still plenty to play for, starting with the Let Good Times Roll With Stagecoach Novices' Handicap Hurdle at 4.10pm, where Masaccio and Welcom To Carties have been joint-favourites in the build-up. 

The penultimate race is at 4.45pm, with the Tennent's Novices' Hurdle where strong favourite Quai De Bourbon will be challenged by Mullins stablemate Billaricay Dickie.

To finish at 5.20pm, the Golf Inn Prestwick Open National Hunt Flat Race will be hoped to be a return to form following a disappointing Cheltenham run for C'Est Ta Chance.

Selections - odds courtesy of Betway

  • 1315: Tommy’s Oscar - 13/2
  • 1350: Donny Boy - 16/1
  • 1425: L’Eau de Sud - 4/1
  • 1500: Larchmont Lass - 11/2
  • 1535: Whacker Clan - 14/1
  • 1610: Doughmore Bay - 16/1
  • 1645: Billericay Dickie - 3/1
  • 1720: C'Est Ta Chance - 13/8

Odds correct at time of publication.