All change in Scottish Grand National line-up with Irish contender now heading the weights as Aintree runners miss Ayr marathon
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Blaze The Way is the new topweight for Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National (3.35) after 25 confirmations were made for the Ayr marathon.
The Mags Mullins-trained eight-year-old has shot to the head of the handicap after the top eight runners, all bar one of whom ran at Aintree on Saturday, were scratched from the race.
Ante-post favourite King Of Answers, trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, was among the leading contenders to go forward, alongside Kim Roque, Quebecois and Ask Brewster.
Kim Roque’s trainer Joseph O’Brien and owner Ronnie Bartlett had Banbridge at the top of the weights, but the 2024 King George winner was not confirmed following his run in the Grand National.
King Of Answers: second at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com.photos)
It was the same with fellow National runners Johnnywho, Mr Vango, Jordans, Top Of The Bill and Twig, while Konfusion was in action on the same card and Search For Glory ran in this month’s Irish Grand National.
This month’s Sussex National winner Havaila, who had been the 12-1 third favourite for Ayr, was another notable absentee.
King Of Answers, who was second in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, could look to hand the Russell stable a second Scottish National victory, five years on from Mighty Thunder.
Of the others confirmed at the five-day stage, Montregard is on course to bid for a famous double for his owner JP McManus following the victory of I Am Maximus in the Grand National.
Willie Mullins has previously gone mob-handed to Ayr, but with the British trainers’ title out of reach he is set to rely solely on Road To Home in his quest for a third straight victory in the £200,000 contest.
Montregard: bidding to give JP McManus a famous National doubleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
1. Blaze The Way Mags Mullins
2. Quebecois Paul Nicholls
3. King Of Answers Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore
4. Isaac Des Obeaux Paul Nicholls
5. Our Power Sam Thomas
6. Road To Home Wille Mullins
7. Guard The Moon Nigel and 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 and AJ O’Neill
19. Git Maker Jamie Snowden
20. Kap Vert Philip Hobbs and 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
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