Ten things you might not know about the Scottish Grand National

1 Ayr hasn't always been the setting of the Scottish Grand National; the race previously took place at Bogside racecourse until it was closed in 1965.

2 Several horses have done the English and Scottish Grand National double. Music Hall was the first, winning the Grand National two years after his Scottish National triumph in 1920. However, only one horse has accomplished the double in a single season: the legendary Red Rum in 1974.

Red Rum pictured with trainer Ginger McCain in 1974Credit: Jeremy Hoare

3 Vicente is the only favourite to have won the Scottish Grand National in the last ten years when retaining his crown in 2017. In fact, in the last ten years only two favourites have finished in the first three in the Scottish National. During this period five favourites have finished in the first three at Aintree.

4 Ruby Walsh is the only jockey who has come close to winning the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh Nationals in a single season. He was narrowly denied the Grand Slam in 2005 when Joes Edge beat Cornish Rebel by a short head at Ayr.

5 No horse below the age of eight has won the Grand National at Aintree since Bogskar in 1940. However, three seven-year-olds have won the Scottish National this century alone, while Earth Summit, who went on to win the Grand National, was just six when he triumphed at Ayr in 1994.

Trainer Rebecca Curtis with Scottish National winner Joe FarrellCredit: Edward Whitaker

6 Four female trainers have won the Scottish Grand National. The first was Jenny Pitman in 1995, who struck with the 12-year-old Willsford. Lavinia Taylor won with Gingembre in 2001, Hilary Parrott with Wayward Prince in 2015, and Rebecca Curtis with Joe Farrell last year. Further success for female trainers is possible this year, with three having horses entered, including Lucinda Russell's well-backed Big River and Vintage Clouds for Sue Smith.

7 Despite the rising success rate for female trainers in the Scottish Grand National, a female jockey has yet to win the race. Gee Armytage came closest in 1993 on Merry Master when she was beaten a neck by Run For Free.

8 First prize for winning the Scottish Grand National is £122,442.50, almost three times more than the £42,000 connections of Paris Pike received when he won in 2000.

9 Ayr’s top jumps trainer is Nicky Richards, who has had 117 winners at the course. He runs Chidswell and Takingrisks in the Scottish Grand National.

10 Ayr should be proud of its trophy cupboard. The course has received the ROA Gold Standard award every year running since 2009. It also won the 2018 RCA excellence accolade for ‘lovely loos’ – it’s a setting that’s sure to bowl you over.

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