Runner-by-runner guide: trainer quotes and ratings for the Scottish National

Last weekend the eyes of the racing world were fixed on the Grand National and now the Scottish version is in the limelight. A total of 22 runners will go to post, but who will come out on top in Scotland's most prestigious chase? Read our runner-by-runner guide featuring top trainer quotes and star ratings ahead of the big race live on ITV at 3.35.

3.35 Ayr Scottish Grand National racecard and betting

1. Lake View Lad*

Won the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree earlier in the season but was a first-fence faller in last Saturday's Grand National and needs another career-best in this.

Trainer Nick Alexander said: "On soft ground you'd really give him a chance even with top weight. But it needs to be very well watered for him to run."

2. Aye Right*****

Remarkably consistent horse who has placed in three big handicaps this season. Targeted at this rather than Aintree since finishing third at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

Trainer Harriet Graham said: "We've got a right to go and you've got to have a wee bit of luck. There will be plenty of horses running and they're all there with a dream the same as us."

4. Sam's Adventure****

Improving handicapper who showed stamina is his forte when winning the Eider Chase at Newcastle. Also won the Tommy Whittle at Haydock earlier in the season and is rapidly progressing through the ranks.

Trainer Brian Ellison said: "He's a good horse and he's in great form. He likes to get his toe in and I'd give him a massive chance if the ground is right."

5. Notachance***

Won the Classic Chase at Warwick earlier in the season and had excuses when pulling up at Haydock latest. Trainer avoided the temptation of Aintree with him for this.

Trainer Alan King said: "I've had this race in mind for him for a while and he looked the ideal candidate for Ayr when winning at Bangor and Warwick in mid-season."

6. Dingo Dollar**

Bounced back to form for new connections when winning for the first time in over three years in a Newcastle handicap chase last time. Even his best form leaves him with more to find but his trainer has been excelling with resurgent types in top handicaps this season.

Trainer Sandy Thomson said: "He joined us with the plan to go for this race - four miles will be new territory for him but I'm very hopeful he'll stay and he has a great chance."

7. Mighty Thunder***

Has had a fantastic season with four victories including wide-margin success in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh. Narrow second in Midlands Grand National last time and has gone up 5lb since.

Trainer Lucinda Russell said: "The four-mile and three-and-a-half mile races really seem to suit him, he gets into a lovely rhythm. I thought his run at Uttoxeter was very good."

8. Soldier Of Love***

Rattled off a four-timer in handicap chases last summer but his progression seemingly stopped when he pulled up at Cheltenham's November meeting when last seen. Has form lines with Cheltenham Festival winner Galvin so is a classy prospect.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He's had the winter off and loves fast ground and being fresh. I'd like to think he's got a nice chance. It's a nice race for him."

9. Oldgrangewood**

Top-class handicapper at intermediate trips in recent years but disappointed behind The Shunter in the Paddy Power Plate at the Cheltenham Festival. Connections roll the dice with a new test in stamina at this trip for the first time.

Trainer Dan Skelton said: "He's got to stay the trip and we don't know that until we do it. But it's a lovely track for him. He jumps left-handed and it will perfectly suit him."

10. The Dutchman*

Without a win since the 2018 Peter Marsh Chase when trained by Colin Tizzard but was a head second at Haydock earlier this season. Unseated in the Eider behind Sam's Adventure last time out.

Trainer Tristan Davidson said: "We're hoping he gets a change in fortune and we've had his soft palate done. He wouldn't want the ground too fast but good to soft or thereabouts would be fine."

11. Some Chaos*

Has not raced over fences since finishing a respectable fifth in the Badger Beers Trophy in November but his form has gone backwards with two heavy defeats over hurdles since.

Trainer Michael Scudamore said: "This has been the plan for a long time. He comes here fit, but fresh and well, having not had too hard a season."

12. The Hollow Ginge*

Eight-year-old who put up a mighty performance when fourth to Cloth Cap in the Ladbrokes Trophy earlier in the season, but has failed to complete in his other three starts this term.

Owner John Neild said: "He handles good ground and will stay all day. We're optimistic and really excited."

13. Big River*

Pulled up in the Eider behind Sam's Adventure but subsequently found that he had suffered from atrial fibrillation. Looks to be the stable's second string behind Mighty Thunder.

Trainer Lucinda Russell said: "He goes there in the best form I've had him all season. Although he's probably the forgotten one in the race from our yard, he definitely isn’t one to discount."

14. Claud And Goldie***

Rolled back the years with a handicap victory at Kelso in February but had a luckless experience there last time when his jockey lost his irons and the saddle slipped. No 12-year-old has won the race since 1995.

Trainer Sandy Forster said: "His saddle slipped last time but he stayed on well when winning the time before and the form was franked when Vintage Clouds won at Cheltenham."

15. Coup De Pinceau***

Two of his three starts for this yard have shown plenty of promise and benefitted for a change of tactics over a stamina-sapping trip when winning by 12 lengths at Taunton last time.

Trainer Nick Mitchell said: "Coup De Pinceau has come out of the Taunton race very well and drying ground will be in his favour. I hope he's got a great chance of nicking some prize-money."

16. Chapel Stile**

Returned to fences with a game victory at Carlisle on heavy ground in February. Has won on good ground at this track before, but this will require a career-best performance.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: "He would have a very good chance if he runs. I'm concerned about the ground. He's still an improving horse."

17. The Ferry Master***

Rapid improver but was a late withdrawal from the Edinburgh National and below his best when fourth at Haydock last time. Should be fitter for that, however, and still remains unexposed.

Trainer Sandy Thomson said: "He did nothing wrong early on in the season. If he does stay the trip he'd have a great chance."

18. Enqarde*

Despite two victories his form has been hot and cold and possibly caught out by the extreme trip when a well-beaten fifth in the Haydock Grand National trial.

Trainer Richard Newland said: "I'm really looking forward to running him. I've had this in mind for a couple of months and he did win on good ground in France, so I'm hopeful the ground and trip combination will suit him."

19. Cool Mix**

Not beaten far by Yorkhill in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle earlier in the season but a well-held third over 2m4½f at Musselburgh last time. This represents a marked step up in trip, so some obvious stamina doubts.

Trainer Iain Jardine said: "He has been running very well this season. We're in the unknown about the trip but he's the got of pace to get himself a sensible position."

20. Mister Fogpatches***

Irish-trained novice who ran a fine race on handicap debut when fourth in a competitive contest at Leopardstown in early March. Was unlucky that day and may be dangerously poised off a mark of 125.

Trainer Pat Fahy said: "He's finally getting the chance to run over the trip he wants on the ground he wants and he's got in! It's the first time he's had his ground since he was second at Gowran Park in October."

21. Chidswell*

Admirable veteran but you have to go back to March 2019 for his last win in that year's Grimthorpe Chase. Form suggests he may be vulnerable to younger horses.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: "He is at the right end of the handicap and was running a grand race in this two years ago until he broke blood vessels. He might just surprise a few."

22. Chef D'Oeuvre**

Classy on his day and seemingly loves it around Haydock, with his last two victories coming there over extreme trips. Outbattled Destinee Royale last time and has only gone up 3lb for that.

Trainer Sam England said: "He's 2lb wrong but he's in good form and he's run well in a big race before. I'd hope the trip will suit him."

23.Dino Boy**

Has raced only three times this season and was arguably a lucky winner of the Borders National at Kelso in December before a remote second in the Edinburgh version. Owner won this twice with Merigo in 2010 and 2012.

Trainer Iain Jardine said: "He is a proven stayer. He won the Borders National and seems to be going in the right direction."

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