Kap Vert Wins Scottish Grand National in Muddy Ayr Race

Kap Vert won the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, beating odds of 20/1. This was a big surprise in the muddy race.
By Newsroom | Sports, Horse Racing |

Kap Vert, a horse previously priced at 20/1, has claimed victory in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. The race, run under heavy (soft in places) conditions, saw Kap Vert ridden by Sean Houlihan outpace Git Maker and the favoured Kim Roque in the closing stages.

Kap Vert causes shock in Scottish Grand National triumph - 1

The unpredictable nature of the Scottish Grand National, known for its challenging ground and capacity for upsets, was on full display once again.

Kap Vert causes shock in Scottish Grand National triumph - 2

Git Maker finished second at odds of 10/1, while Kim Roque, a joint-favourite at 4/1, secured third place. Isaac Des Obeaux finished fourth. Numerous other runners were reported as pulled up, underscoring the attritional nature of the contest.

Kap Vert causes shock in Scottish Grand National triumph - 3

Field Notes and Non-Runners

A total of 21 horses were declared for the race. Several notable entries, including Our Power, Road To Home, and Montregard, were declared non-runners. The withdrawal of Montregard was attributed to the ground conditions. Notably, Willie Mullins' sole intended runner, Road To Home, was also a non-runner, preventing the trainer from potentially building on recent successes.

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Kap Vert causes shock in Scottish Grand National triumph - 4

Wider Racing Context

The Scottish Grand National was one of several notable races on Saturday. In the Guineas trials at Newbury, Sukanya won the Fred Darling at 16/1, and Alparslan secured victory in the Greenham stakes. Convergent, also trained by Karl Burke, won the John Porter stakes.

Race Details

The Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase is a premier handicap race run over a distance of 3 miles 7 furlongs and 176 yards. The winner's purse was £112,540. Official ratings indicated Blaze The Way carried the highest weight at 145.

Historical data suggests a tendency for winners to have prior winning experience on similar ground conditions and distances. Many winners have also had recent runs and competed frequently within the current season, often with odds of 12/1 or longer. This year's victor, Kap Vert, aligns with the trend of horses offering longer odds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday?
Kap Vert, a horse that started at 20/1 odds, won the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Jockey Sean Houlihan rode Kap Vert to victory on the very soft ground.
Q: Which horses came second and third in the Scottish Grand National?
Git Maker finished second, and Kim Roque, who was a favourite, came in third place. Many other horses did not finish the race due to the tough conditions.
Q: Why did some horses not run in the Scottish Grand National?
Some horses, like Montregard, did not run because the ground was too soft. Road To Home, trained by Willie Mullins, was also a non-runner.
Q: How long is the Scottish Grand National race and what was the prize money?
The Scottish Grand National is run over a distance of nearly 4 miles (3 miles 7 furlongs and 176 yards). The winner, Kap Vert, received £112,540 in prize money.