Scottish Grand National Tips 2026: Another big one for JP McManus?

The Scottish Grand National is the feature race at Ayr on Saturday (15:35) and a field of 21 will battle it out for the £200k total prize fund.

My Scottish Grand National tips includes one for JP McManus, who just seven days ago landed the big one at Aintree.

Tom Lacey certainly knows what he’s doing when it comes to training staying handicap chasers and MONTREGARD is showing a significant amount of promise in that department. The seven-year-old has an eye-catching pedigree, being a brother to Protektorat.

There was loads to like about his most recent performance at Ascot, where he managed to win a competitive three-mile handicap chase quite comfortably in the end, despite being 3lb out of the handicap. He’s now effectively running off a 4lb higher mark, which is manageable.

Further progress cannot be ruled out, as he remains lightly raced over fences and that was a clear career-best last time. It could be a good idea to keep the son of Joshua Tree on side until his limitations are exposed and JP McManus might have another big winner.

While he has never run over four miles, we know ASK BREWSTER stays at least 3m4f after completing that trip at Cheltenham and so there shouldn’t be a problem with this distance.

Winning two of his three starts so far this season, he scored nicely at Chepstow back in October but was admittedly disappointing at Sandown after that. Roaring back to form to win the Kim Muir, the way in which he stayed on that day suggests the trip will be fine.

One slight cause for concern would be the conditions, as although he has won on soft before, his best form has been on better ground. There is some good to soft in the going description and provided it stays that way, he should just about get away with it.

Amateur rider Shane Cotter was on board for his aforementioned Cheltenham success in the Kim Muir and he’s back in the saddle for this race, taking 7lb off once again.

Betfred are offering five places in this race and KAP VERT could easily run into one at a decent price. This Philip Hobbs & Johnson White-trained gelding is thoroughly unexposed over fences, winning two of his four chase starts to date.

Those successes have come in much lower grades but he stays three miles well and perhaps marathon trips can bring out the best in him. It’s very unlikely that we have seen the best of him just yet and a huge run would be no surprise.

Extra Place Races

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Antepost bets don’t apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Click the link for all the latest Horse Racing Odds

Tune into Betfred Insights every day to find our experts' Naps Table