Three horses who will love heavy ground in the Scottish Grand National including a stylish recent winner

8 months ago 79

THE remorseless racing fixture list rolls on with a brilliant-looking Scottish Grand National taking centre stage on Saturday.

Willie Mullins has confirmed six runners for the blockbuster 4m Ayr race (3.35pm) as he looks to steal the British champion jumps trainer crown from Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton.

The going is currently heavy at Ayr ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Grand National[/caption]

Mullins has confirmed he will go all out to land the title.

And the Scottish National could be the latest to go his way after I Am Maximus won the Grand National at Aintree last weekend.

But here’s three horses who could hold the upper hand on ground currently described as heavy.

Beauport
14-1

A 5lb hike in the weights doesn’t look enough to stop the recent Midlands National winner.

It’s easy to think the exertions of winning a 4m2f race on heavy a month ago could leave their mark.

Especially as the Nigel Twiston-Davis-trained runner jumped right throughout and jockey Jordan Nailor lost an iron.

But in truth he had loads in the tank crossing the line, his jump at the last was the best of the lot and he only looked to really be getting going.

Nailor was up in the saddle with his arms raised passing the post, with Mullins’ Mr Incredible never really looking like catching him.

His liking for this ground was confirmed my mudlark My Silver Lining behind in third.

Twoshotsoftequila
25-1

Carried a 7lb penalty to win a three-horse race at Newcastle last month on heavy.

Former champion jockey Brian Hughes has already been booked for trainer Rebecca Menzies.

Expect Twoshotsoftequila to be held up behind and fly home late from the bottom of the weights.

A career-high mark in a race like this would normally spell doom, but there’s every suggestion this horse is firmly on the upgrade.

You might want to watch from behind the sofa, though, as his jumping can occasionally be heart-in-mouth stuff.

Mr Vango
20-1

A bonkers 60-length winner of the Devon National, Mr Vango was probably turned out too quickly for his run in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

But the 135-rated chaser gave a brilliant account of himself in third, with the 150-rated Corbetts Cross winning and 150-rated Embassy Gardens, both for Mullins, in second.

He did incredibly well carrying the same weight to even challenge, weakening on the run-in in the 3m6f race.

He has been confirmed for the race – but it would be no surprise if connections opted not to run him.

So while there is risk in his price there is absolutely no doubt he loves running in the mud and a marathon trip.