2023 Scottish Grand National pinstickers guide: trainer quotes and star ratings for every horse
A field of 21 runners will go to post for Scotland's biggest jumps race but who will come out on top? Read our runner-by-runner guide, featuring top quotes and star ratings for the big race live on ITV at 3.35 on Saturday.
3.35 Ayr Saturday: Coral Scottish Grand National card and betting
1 Dusart
Star rating: ****
Aimed at this race since winning at last year’s meeting, but Nicky Henderson doesn’t win Grand Nationals. Or does he? Mister Coffey went well for a long way at Aintree last week and Dusart was no stronger than at the finish here 12 months ago. Makes mistakes and will be out of it early if doing so again, but has the ability to go well.
Trainer Nicky Henderson: "He's racing off top weight and he's got to do a bit more to be in the mix. It looks a stiff task, but he did win on the card last year and that form has worked out really well."
2 Threeunderthrufive
Star rating: ***
Smart novice last season, but the wheels have fallen off somewhat over fences this campaign and he jumped sloppily when well beaten at Cheltenham last time. Makes mistakes and probably not one for maximum faith, but never rule out Paul Nicholls.
Trainer Paul Nicholls: "On his best form he would have a chance and could go nicely."
3 Monbeg Genius
Non-runner
4 Empire Steel
Star rating: **
Traded at the maximum 1,000 in running on Betfair when winning at Kelso last time and flattered to beat Le Milos, who wasn’t fully wound up. Has won here but would have a better chance if he could be fooled into thinking he was running at Kelso.
Trainer Sandy Thomson: "At the beginning of the season this is where we hoped he'd be. We've had a good run with him, he did it well at Kelso and he's in good form."
5 Elvis Mail
Non-runner
6 Kitty's Light
Star rating: ****
Perennial big-race bridesmaid who was second last year. Finally got his day in the sun when landing the Eider at Newcastle and the cheekpieces he wore when third in last season’s bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown return for the first time this season. Solid chance, but will need luck when trying to weave his way through from the rear.
Trainer Christian Williams: "He comes into his own at this time of year and just bumped into one when second in the race last year."
7 Malina Girl
Star rating: ***
Anyone for an Irish-trained winner? Why not, they win everything else. Proved her stamina for a marathon test when landing the Ulster National at Downpatrick three weeks ago and open to more improvement. Another step forward is needed, though.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell: “She was very good at Downpatrick. She has come out of that well and has a nice racing weight. It's coming quick enough for one of these marathon chases but the drying ground will suit her fine and the trip should be no problem. Hopefully she has an each way chance."
8 Undersupervision
Star rating: ****
Quirky but shapes like he will stay forever and could improve for his first run over a marathon trip. Just one win from 11 starts over fences is a concern for win-only punters, but there is a solid chance he can make the frame.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies: "He's run well the last twice and we think he'll stay. We're looking forward to it but he's a big horse and wouldn't want the ground quicker than good."
9 Ruthless Article
Star rating: *
Races prominently and appears to have been aimed at the race after just one run since last July. However, he was well beaten after jumping left on that occasion at Ascot three weeks ago and needs a big revival. His stable did win this with 33-1 shot Joe Farrell in 2018.
Trainer Rebecca Curtis: "He didn’t like the ground or going right-handed at Ascot last time. He’ll be suited by the good ground and seems to stay and jump so we’re hoping for a nice run.”
10 Lord Accord
Star rating: **
Lost his form recently and comes here following two heavy defeats at Cheltenham. It’s possible soft ground was to blame and this sounder surface will suit him better. Races prominently and not totally ruled out, but has a bit to prove.
Trainer Neil Mulholland: "He’ll be suited by the better ground, it was too soft for him last time, and he has a chance on his best form."
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11 Flash Collonges
Star rating: **
Beaten six times in small-field chases before seeing off four rivals at Newbury to break his maiden over fences. This is an entirely different test against seasoned handicappers but he often front runs and, I’ll say again, never count Paul Nicholls out.
Trainer Paul Nicholls: "He has plenty of experience over fences and this longer trip could suit him."
12 Cooper's Cross
Star rating: **
Likes good ground and looked a chaser going places when beating Cap Du Nord at Doncaster in January. However, bled from the nose back there next time and fell at Aintree last week when going well. Not certain to stay and will need luck in running coming from the rear.
Trainer Stuart Coltherd: "We were getting quite excited in the Topham until he fell. He's come out of the race very well and if he stays the trip he's got a big chance."
13 Cap Du Nord
Star rating: ***
From the same yard as Kitty’s Light, which won this last year with Win My Wings, but jockey Jack Tudor has deserted him and he hasn’t looked a strong stayer on his two outings over marathon trips. Reasonably treated if seeing it out.
Trainer Christian Williams: "He's looked more of a stayer this season and we feel this race could suit him. It's been his target for some time."
14 Flash De Touzaine
Star rating: **
Another Irish challenger. Often races prominently and posted an improved effort when fifth at Navan last month in a refitted tongue strap and cheekpieces combination. His best form has been on soft ground and he has stamina to prove.
Trainer Liz Doyle: "He might have just struggled to finish off his races on heavy ground in some competitive handicaps in Ireland. He won his maiden hurdle on nice ground and it wasn't bad ground at all when he won at Galway. I'm hoping the better ground will be a big help to him so hopefully he can come back to his best."
15 Manothepeople
Star rating: ****
Progressive and represents a stable whose staying chasers were in superb form at Cheltenham this week. Open to lots of improvement on just his fourth start over fences, often front runs and should make his presence felt.
Trainer Fergal O'Brien: "He's got a lovely profile. Novices have a good record in the race and he stays, jumps and will love the better ground."
16 Famous Bridge
Non-runner
17 Your Own Story
Star rating: ***
Another big one for Scotland anyone? One of two trained by last week’s Grand National heroine Lucinda Russell and Aintree hero Derek Fox takes the ride. Consistent, stays forever and has a great attitude to boot, but needs to improve.
Trainer Lucinda Russell: "I still think he's well treated by the handicapper. The big thing is going up in distance, he's very much a stayer and the four miles will make him even better treated. The race should suit him."
18 Waitnsee
Non-runner
19 Magna Sam
Star rating: ***
Beat this week’s Cheltenham winner Captain Cattistock at Musselburgh last time on stable debut. The 77-day break since is a positive and he is a strong traveller who jumps well. Often races prominently and likely to run well again.
Trainer Alastair Ralph: "This has been the plan since he won the Edinburgh National and he has a fighting chance. He'll love the ground and he's in good form."
20 Mighty Thunder
Star rating: ***
Not in the same form as when winning two years ago, but Lucinda Russell can’t do a thing wrong in staying chases and the fact Derek Fox rides stablemate Your Own Story isn’t a worry given Patrick Wadge is his recent regular partner. Place prospects.
Trainer Lucinda Russell: "It's taken a season for him to find his feet again but he's been improving with each run and this is the first time we've got the right ground for him. The distance is right and as an each-way bet he's got a huge chance."
21 Flower Of Scotland
Non-runner
22 Half Shot
Star rating: *
Consistent, travels well and races up with the pace. Those are the positives, but he is 7lb out of the handicap, not certain to stay and this will be his toughest test yet.
Trainer Iain Jardine: "He's in unknown territory as to whether he'll stay but he stepped up in trip last time and ran a big race. He's in good order, his form is good and we're excited to be in the race."
23 Small Present
Star rating: *
8lb out of the handicap and beaten at least 30 lengths on his last three starts. Stable in form, but that’s the sole crumb of comfort.
Trainer Sue Smith: "He has no weight and he seems in good form. Sean Quinlan knows him and the drier ground will help over four miles."
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Read these next:
2023 Scottish Grand National: the runners, the odds, the verdict
2023 Scottish Grand National tips: why this horse can win the big race at Ayr on Saturday
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