The 2026 Scottish Grand National runners are down to 25, with Irish raider Blaze The Way inheriting the topweight spot for this Saturday’s big Ayr race.
Blaze The Way Heads 2026 Scottish National Runners For Ireland
The Margaret Mullins-trained eight-year-old BLAZE THE WAY moved straight to the head of the Scottish Grand National handicap following a mass exodus at the top of the weights.
Eight runners were scratched, nearly all of whom were coming off a tough shift at Aintree last weekend.
Despite those absentees, there are still some big names out in force for Saturday’s ITV Racing scheduled contest.
Including Scottish Grand National ante-post favorite King Of Answers – trained locally by the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore team.
Plus, Kim Roque for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, Quebecois for Paul Nicholls, who won this two years in-a-row with Vincente, and recent Cheltenham Festival winner Ask Brewster.
The new topweight Blaze The Way was last seen running 7th to Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap Chase last time out (watch below).
Form that was franked with the winner running a close 4th in the Grand National at Aintree last weekend.
No Scottish Grand National Bid For Banbridge
There was some speculation about last Saturday’s Grand National runner Banbridge, who unseated in the Aintree race won by I Am Maximus.
However, owner Ronnie Bartlett and trainer Joseph O’Brien have opted not to send their 2024 King George hero to Ayr.
It’s a similar story for several others who took on the Aintree fences: Johnnywho, Mr Vango, Jordans, Top Of The Bill, and Twig have all been pulled from the Scottish version too.
Meanwhile, this season’s Rowland Meyrick winner Konfusion also ran at Aintree (not in the National), and Search For Glory is sitting this one out after his recent Irish Grand National bid.
One of the more surprising omissions is Havaila for the Gary and Josh Moore yard.
Fresh off a win in the Sussex National, he had been sitting as a 12-1 third favorite before being withdrawn on Monday.
King Of Answers Remains Popular In The Scottish National Betting
All eyes, however, remain on King Of Answers, who still sits at the head of the Scottish Grand National betting market at 6/1.
After a stellar second-place finish in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month, he’s looking to secure a second Scottish National trophy for the Russell stable, five years after Mighty Thunder’s memorable win in 2021.
He’s disputing the favourites berth with Kim Roque.
While Montregard, at around 10/1, is sure to attract interest too.
He’s aiming for a massive “National double” for owner JP McManus following I Am Maximus’s heroics at Aintree.
But despite a record four wins in the Aintree Grand National, McManus is yet to get the Scottish equivalent on his CV.
Are there any Willie Mullins Scottish National runners?
As the Closutton handler is known for bringing a whole battalion to Ayr.
However, this year Mullins has just one remaining entry – putting all his chips on Road To Home to try and secure a third consecutive win in the £200,000 feature.
Coral Scottish Grand National Runners 2026 🏇
- 1 – Blaze The Way (Margaret Mullins)
- 2 – Quebecois (Paul Nicholls)
- 3 – King Of Answers (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
- 4 – Isaac Des Obeaux (Paul Nicholls)
- 5 – Our Power (Sam Thomas)
- 6 – Road To Home (Willie Mullins)
- 7 – Guard The Moon (Nigel & 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 & AJ O’Neill)
- 19 – Git Maker (Jamie Snowden)
- 20 – Kap Vert (Philip Hobbs & 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)
When Is The Scottish Grand National Date 2026?🗓️
📅 Date: Saturday, April 18th 2026
⌚ Time: 3:35pm
🏇 Racecourse: Ayr
🔄 Trip: 4m
💷 Winner: £112,540
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Racing TV
