Scottish Grand National 2026: Date, time, prize money, runners, odds, how to watch the biggest horse race of the year in Scotland
The biggest meet of the Scottish horseracing calendar will take place this weekend.
First taking place in 1858 when it was known as the ‘West of Scotland Grand National’, the Scottish Grand National was originally run at a course near Houston in Renfrewshire.
Objections to the race by local religious leaders saw it move to Bogside Racecourse, near Irvine, which closed in 1965 seeing it moved to its current home at Ayr Racecourse.
The first winner was a horse called The Elk owned by the Duke of Hamilton and since then there have been many famous champions, including Red Rum who remains the only horse to also win the Grand National in the same year.
Last year saw Willie Mullins-trained Captain Cody run home in first place ahead of Klarc Kent and Our Power.
Now Ayr Racecourse is starting to prepare itself for the 2026 event, which will see thousands of punters pack into the venue, and many more watch on television at home.
We can’t tell you who is going to win - but we can tell you everything else you need to know.
Where does the Scottish Grand National take place?
The Scottish Grand National takes place at Ayr Racecourse.
The race is run over a course just shy of four miles long, with 27 jumps, and has the reputation of being one of the toughest tests for horses and jockeys in UK racing.
When is the 2026 Scottish Grand National?
The first races at the Ayr meeting are on Friday, April 17, but the Scottish Grand National itself is on Saturday, April 18, at 3.35pm.
The Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase will feature a field of up to 30 runners and is the fourth most popular house race in the UK when it comes to the size of betting market.
Due to the timing of Easter this year, the race takes place just a week after the Aintree Grand National.
The only horse to have won both the Scottish and Aintree Grand Nationals in the same year was Red Rum.
What is the Scottish Grand National 2026 prize money?
The winner of the race will receive prize money of £112,540 - with a total prize purse of £200,000 on offer.
Can I get tickets to the Scottish Grand National 2026?
There are still tickets available for 'Ladies Day' on Friday, April 17, from £30 for a grandstand ticket.
The racing on Saturday, April 18, is completely sold out.
Can I watch the Scottish Grand National 2026 on television?
Coverage of the day’s racing starts on STV at 1pm with the big race broadcast live from 3.35pm.
Who are the runners for the Scottish Grand National 2026?
Here are all the horses currently scheduled to run in the Scottish Grand National and their current odds, although some may withdraw before the race. If you put a bet on a horse that doesn’t race you will get your money back. Here are the runners from which the final lineup will be taken.
- Blaze The Way, Mags Mullins, 12/1
- Quebecois, Paul Nicholls, 8/1
- King Of Answers, Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, 5/1
- Isaac Des Obeaux, Paul Nicholls, 10/1
- Our Power, Sam Thomas, 20/1
- Road To Home, Willie Mullins, 7/1
- Guard The Moon, Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, 25/1
- Herakles Westwood, Warren Greatrex, 20/1
- Ask Brewster, Cath Williams, 10/1
- Duffle Coat, Gordon Elliott, 25/1
- Katate Dori, Sam Thomas, 14/1
- Stolen Silver, Georgina Nicholls, 66/1
- Famous Bridge, Nicky Richards, 33/1
- Montregard, Tom Lacey, 10/1
- Maximilian, Donald McCain, 25/1
- Gabbys Cross, Nick Scholfield, 25/1
- Kim Roque, Joseph O'Brien, 6/1
- Collectors Item, Jonjo and AJ O'Neill, 33/1
- Git Maker, Jamie Snowden, 14/1
- Kap Vert, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White
- Val Dancer, Mel Rowley, 25/1
- Promontory, Sarah Connell, 20/1
- Chasingouttheblues, Mark Walford, 14/1
- J'Arrive De L'Est, Emmet Mullins, 8/1
- Magna Sam, Alastair Ralph, 50/1
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