As we race closer towards the big race at Ayr on Saturday, which horse (or horses) are vying to become the Scottish Grand National favourite?
Kim Roque and King Of Answers Disputing The Scottish Grand National Favourites Berth
With a maximum of 25 Scottish Grand National runners heading to post on Saturday – it’s already a competitive affair when if comes to which horse will go off favourite.
Having won the last two runnings, it would be shock if the sole Willie Mullins runner – Road To Home – didn’t come in for support.
Mullins is eyeing a famous three-timer – just like be manged in the Aintree Grand National last weekend – after landing the Ayr pot with Macdermott and Captain Cody in recent years.
Road To Home was last seen running a neck second to another Scottish National runner Ask Brewster at Cheltenham – but the Mullins runner is 8lbs better off this time.
However, as it stands Road To Home is sitting just behind two other 2026 Scottish Grand National runners in the market – KIM ROQUE and KING OF ANSWERS.
And it’s easy to see why these two ‘K’s’ having been popular in the Scottish Grand National market in the build-up to the race.
Kim Roque Last Seen Running 4th At The Cheltenham Festival
The Joseph O’Brien runner KIM ROQUE gets in with a handy 10st-13lbs in weight, and this looks ideal.
Why?
Well, the Scottish Grand National trends tell us 18 of the last 22 winners carried 11st 1lbs or less.
However, his age (6) might be against him – with just one winner aged 6 since 1995.
Kim Roque was last in action at the Cheltenham Festival, when 4th in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.
He had Ask Brewster and Road To Home in front that day but is much better off at the weights with both.
This Irish raider also ran on well that day over 3m 2 1/2f to suggest the longer trip (4m) could be well within range.
Barring his age, Kim Roque has a decent-looking profile.
WATCH: Kim Roque Running 4th In The Kim Muir at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
King Of Answers Looking To Give Lucinda Russell A Second Scottish National Win
The other horse that could go off as the 2026 Scottish Grand National favourite is KING OF ANSWERS.
Trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, he’s another young horse at 7.
But we have seen four winning 7yolds since 2013.
He could have a big weight though (11st 12lbs) and the last horse to win with that burden would be Grey Abbey in 2004.
King Of Answers is unexposed with only five runs over fences (2 wins) but was another that caught the eye last time.
Running on to be second in the NH Chase, behind Holloway Queen (watch below) – which was the same race last year’s winner Captain Cody ran in.
The Russell yard also won this ITV Racing scheduled race in 2021 with Mighty Thunder.
Despite his big weight, King Of Answers will be many people’s solution to finding the 2026 Scottish Grand National winner.
WATCH: King Of Answers Running 2nd In The NH Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
How Have The Scottish Grand National Favourites Fared Recently?
In short – good and bad.
Since 2017, we’ve seen THREE winning Scottish Grand National favorites.
- 2023 – Kitty’s Light 4/1 jfav
- 2022 – Wing My Wings 13/2 cfav
- 2017 – Vincente 9/1 jfav
However, all of these winning jollies WERE NOT outright favourites.
With the last winning favourite on his own coming way back in 1999 – Young Kenny.
Meaning the Scottish Grand National is on a run of 26 years without a winning OUTRIGHT market leader.
Scottish Grand National Betting Odds 2026
- KIM ROQUE 6/1
- KING OF ANSWERS 6/1
- ROAD TO HOME 8/1
- QUEBECOIS 9/1
- ASK BREWSTER 10/1
- ISAAC DES OBEAUX 10/1
- MONTREGARD 10/1
- CHASINGOUTTHEBLUES 14/1
- J’ARRIVE DE L’EST 14/1
- BLAZE THE WAY 18/1
- GIT MAKER 18/1
- HERAKLES WESTWOOD 20/1
- OUR POWER 20/1
- KATATE DORI 22/1
- KAP VERT 25/1
- PROMONTORY 25/1
- FAMOUS BRIDGE 33/1
- GUARD THE MOON 33/1
- MAXIMILIAN 33/1
- VAL DANCER 33/1
- DUFFLE COAT 40/1
- GABBYS CROSS 40/1
- COLLECTORS ITEM 50/1
- MAGNA SAM 66/1
- STOLEN SILVER 100/1
Note: Odds listed are subject to change
2026 Scottish Grand National Date🗓️
📅 Date: Saturday, April 18th 2026
⌚ Time: 3:35pm
🏇 Racecourse: Ayr
🔄 Trip: 4m
💷 Winner: £112,540
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Racing TV
Scottish Grand National Winners Since 2014
- 2025: Captain Cody (9/1)
- 2024: Macdermott (18/1)
- 2023: Kitty’s Light (4/1 jfav)
- 2022: Win My Wings (13/2 cfav)
- 2021: Mighty Thunder (8/1)
- 2019: Takingrisks (25/1)
- 2018: Joe Farrell (33/1)
- 2017: Vicente (9/1 jfav)
- 2016: Vicente (14/1)
- 2015: Wayward Prince (25/1)
- 2014: Al Co (40/1)
WATCH: Captain Cody Winning The Scottish Grand National in 2025
🏆Captain Cody wins Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase 🏆
A 1-2 for Willie Mullins 🥇🥈#ITVRacing | @ayrracecourse | @CobdenHarry | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/8ApVbL7eeq
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 12, 2025
