Two-time Scottish National winner Vicente on historic treble trail

Vicente could attempt to become the first horse to win three consecutive Coral Scottish Grand Nationals in more than 100 years after appearing among the 78 entries for this year’s race released on Wednesday.

The last horse to claim that honour was Couvrefeu II, victorious in 1911, 1912 and 1913.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Vicente was priced up as the 14-1 co-second favourite by the race sponsor, whose market is headed at 12-1 by RSA Chase fourth Ballyoptic.

Missed Approach: 14-1 for the Scottish NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Also priced at 14-1 is Missed Approach, who denied the Irish a clean sweep on the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival when landing the Kim Muir.

Cogry and Benbens, second and third last year and like Ballyoptic trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, are also entered for the May 21 Ayr showpiece, along with the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Fagan – owned by Scottish businessman Ronnie Bartlett – and Folsom Blue.

Blaklion, another trained by Twiston-Davies, has been entered, but he is vying for favouritism for the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday week and the Ayr option looks merely a back-up.

Coral Scottish Grand National (April 21)

Coral: 12 Ballyoptic, 14 Fagan, Missed Approach, Sizing Tennessee, Vicente, Vintage Clouds, 16 Big River, Doing Fine, Folsom Blue, 20 bar

Bet365 Gold Cup (April 28)

Bet365: 12 Blakion, Daklondike, Missed Approach, Ms Parfois, Regal Flow, 14 Ballyoptic, Doing Fine, Gold Present, Rathlin Rose, Sizing Tennessee, 16 bar

Blaklion also figures among 72 entries for the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 28, and was installed as the 12-1 co-favourite by the race sponsor.

Andrew Cooper, head of racing at Sandown, said: “Based on these entries we look set for another high quality and competitive renewal of the bet365 Gold Cup.

"We also have one of racing’s most popular horses, Cue Card, set to make his final appearance in the bet365 Oaksey Chase before retiring, and there is also a chance we will see Nicky Henderson’s superstar Altior.”

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