Willie Mullins has declared six runners for this year’s Scottish Grand National. The Irish trainer heads to Ayr in flying form after enjoying a remarkable few days at Aintree and dominating the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Mullins has firmly set his sights on defending his British Trainers’ Championship title, having bridged the gap on leader Dan Skelton due to his remarkable success in the Grand National. He trained five of the first seven horses home, with Nick Rockett winning at odds of 33/1, as well as winning several other Grade Ones.
The 68-year-old will be hoping to move into the lead in the Championship this weekend as he takes aim at Ayr. Mullins admitted at Aintree that he would now start to bring some of his stable stars over to Britain in the hope of racking up the prize money, and he has wasted no time on that front.
He has declared six runners for the Scottish Grand National on Saturday, including last year’s winner Macdermott, who stayed on to land the spoils under Danny Mullins to win by a nose at odds of 18/1. The six-year-old has been hiked up the weights as a result of the win and will carry 11st 6 as he looks to retain his crown.
Mullins’ most fancied runner in the market is Chosen Witness, who has shortened into 5/1 since the declarations. The gelding was last seen unseating Paul Townend in February at Navan, but he should relish this step up in trip and may have been underestimated by the handicapper.
Olympic Man will also head to Ayr following his victory at Navan last month, as well as Captain Cody, who ran in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but ultimately unseated Danny Mullins at the 13th fence after a mistake.
Spanish Harlem and Klarc Kent have also been declared by Mullins as the Irish trainer makes his title intentions very clear. However, he is not only aiming for victory in the Scottish Grand National.
Mullins has declared Ethical Diamond, Bunting, Batman Girac and Karafon for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, as well as Western Diego in the Handicap Chase and Loughlynn in the Champion Handicap Chase over three miles, among other runners as he looks to dominate yet another big meeting.
