Who will win the Scottish Grand National? A punters' guide to the big race at Ayr

The Scottish Grand National is a four mile staying test that takes place on Saturday, April 2 at Ayr racecourse.

Dating back to 1858, when it was first run in Renfrewshire, the historic steeplechase then moved to Bogside Racecourse near Irvine.

The race switched to Ayr relatively late in 1965 where it was lengthened to the current four miles.

The winning most trainer in modern Ayr Scottish Grand National history is Ken Oliver with four wins including The Spaniard (1970), Young Ash Leaf (1971), Fighting Fit (1979), Cockle Strand (1982).

In recent years, Vicente won the Scottish Grand National two years on the spin in 2016 and 2017 for Paul Nicholls.

When is the Scottish Grand National: Saturday, April 2

Where: Ayr racecourse, Ayshire, Scotland

What time?: The race goes to post at 15:35 (BST)

Which TV channel: Live on ITV 1 and Racing TV

Who won the Scottish Grand National last year?

Lucinda Russell's Mighty Thunder, with Tom Scudamore onboard, claimed the 2021 crown at odds of 8/1.

Sandy Thomson's The Ferry Master was fourth in 2021 and goes again in 2022, as does Cool Mix who finished in fifth place last year.

Who are the leading contenders?

Welsh trainer Christian Williams has the two market leaders in the form of Kitty's Light and Win My Wings.

Six-year-old Kitty's Light goes on most ground, which is useful with some rain in the forecast at Ayr. A second last time out at Kempton over three miles was good preparation behind stablemate Cap Du Nord and Williams is the type to send one out for this type of race.

Win My Wings, meanwhile, has amateur Rob James taking off a whopping seven pounds from his weight burden. Winning the Eider at Newcastle is brilliant form with so few races that stretch to four miles at this level. Win My Wings looks a terrific bet to fly at Ayr.

Irish raider Pat Fahy sends Stormy Judge to fulfil his lifetime ambition of taking the Scottish National.

An interesting contender after winning back to back chases at Naas and Navan, the seven-year old then ran a decent fifth in the Leinster National on March 13, which should put him bang on for this.

Meanwhile, Scotsman Sandy Thomson's The Ferry Master came fourth in the Scottish National last year and that course and distance form could prove crucial. He's now five pounds better off than in last year's running and The Ferry Master could go close if smooth sailing.

Scottish National each-way picks

Oliver Sherwood's Jersey Bean has been available at 25/1 and is a tough and progressive chaser that could take well to Ayr.

Jersey Bean was a game winner over an extended three miles, four furlongs at Haydock in November last year and, if benefiting from the rest, this jumping bean can prove a sweet treat.

David Dennis' Innisfree Lad has the plum booking of Champion Jockey elect Brian Hughes and could well outrun his hefty odds. A staying on third in the Eider was no disgrace, especially at odds of 25/1.

Team Skelton's Ashtown Lad is a fairly consistent performer and the brothers will be itching to get some big race wins under their belt after drawing a blank at Cheltenham.

Ashtown Lad took a nice novices' chase at Wetherby in October last year and, of course, Harry Skelton will know all there is to know about getting this one's head in front.

Finally, don't discount Pat Fahy's Stormy Judge who seems to have been laid out for this event and whose odds, although skinnier than our other mentions, are still pretty decent.

Monster tip: Via Dolorosa for David Pipe (33/1)

The confirmed horses and riders for the Scottish Grand National