Scottish Grand National Tips: Quest to stop the Mullins mob

It's the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday (15:35) and man-of-the-moment Willie Mullins, who trained the first three home in the big one at Aintree last weekend, saddles six as he bids for back-to-back UK Jump Trainers' Championships.

Time will tell if it's wise or not, but I've gone against the Irish maestro with my Scottish Grand National tips for the 2025 renewal.

Surrey Quest each-way @ 10/1

I know, I know. Opposing Willie Mullins in a Grand National? How silly of me.

All of his runners have obvious chances, but I fancy SURREY QUEST for Toby Lawes and Kevin Brogan.

Scottish Grand National Odds

The eight-year-old son of Milan lost out to Mullins' reopposing Macdermott in a photo finish last year, despite some not-so-clever jumping in the latter stages of the contest.

It was a brilliant effort, especially when you factor in the many mistakes, and I wouldn't be surprised if connections have had a repeat bid in mind all season.

His second to the ill-fated Abuffalosoldier in a Premier Handicap at Cheltenham's November Meeting on reappearance is strong form, and he was going well until he unseated regular rider Brogan at the 14th fence at Newbury over Christmas.

His outing in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh just over a month later was another fine attempt and now he returns north of the border for the Scottish Grand National, bidding to put last year's agony behind him.

Off a mark of 139, which is six pounds higher than it was 12 months ago, he looks ready to run another mighty race.

As the Scottish Grand National is an Extra Place Race, with five available instead of four at 1/5 the odds, I suggest backing Surrey Quest each-way.

Hashing each-way @ 14/1

My other selection - also making the most of Betfred's enhanced place terms - is HASTHING for Jonjo & A J O'Neill.

The first thing that drew me to the eight-year-old son of Konig Turf was simply his presence in the line-up. The O'Neills and JP McManus had Kim Muir runner-up Johnnywho as a possible before confirmations earlier in the week, but opted to rely on him instead. Perhaps that was always the plan and Johnnywho is one for the Irish Grand National instead, but I think it's at least worth mentioning.

The selection, who will be partnered by Betfred ambassador Jonjo O'Neill Jr., has made huge strides over fences this term, rising from a mark of 118 to 133 courtesy of back-to-back handicap successes at Windsor during the winter.

His subsequent fourth in the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot a couple of months ago was a good effort. He came from out the back to finish fourth of 11, just over four lengths off the first three home who finished in a bit of a bunch, staying on all the way to the line.

Connections then sent him to the Cheltenham Festival to contest the National Hunt Chase over 3m6f and he was running a blinder before falling at last fence when around seven lengths behind the eventual winner. He'd just been hampered at the second-last and was finding plenty to my eye, so I'd like to think he'd have been challenging for the runner-up spot if he stayed on his feet.

Rock My Way, who at time of publication is four points shorter than the selection for the Scottish Grand National, was the one who filled that second spot and I couldn't put anyone off backing him on Saturday, but there's not much at all separating the two. They should be identical prices as far as I'm concerned.

Providing he's none the worse for that mishap, Hasthing ought to make another bold bid over this slightly further trip off an unchanged mark. He'll love conditions, too.

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