Scottish Grand National 2023 Runners: A look at the entries for the Ayr marathon
Kitty's Light is one of 31 horses entered for the 2023 Scottish Grand National, which takes place at Ayr racecourse on Saturday afternoon at 15:35. We take a look at the entries for the marathon event north of the border and take a look at the latest odds for the contest....
Christian Williams saddled Win My Wings to an emphatic success in last year's Scottish Grand National and the emerging handler will look to taste glory once again at Ayr racecourse in the National Hunt showpiece as he saddles the exciting staying chaser Kitty's Light, who is a prominent figure in the latest Scottish Grand National betting and was a fine runner-up in this contest in 2022.
The seven-year-old showed his class over four miles last time out when romping to a two-and-a-half length victory in the Eider Chase at Newcastle and having put up a massive performance in defeat in last year's Scottish National, Kitty's Light will look to retain the crown for team Williams, who have become accustomed to claim notable staying success.
Jonjo O'Neill is yet to taste victory in the Scottish Grand National, but the Jackdaws Castle handler is set to unleash Monbeg Genius, who racked up a trio of wins before coming a sparkling third in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. A smart stayer on the upgrade, Monbeg Genius is sure to be a notable contender, if taking his chance, and he adds significant depth at the head of the market.
Lucinda Russell tasted Grand National glory last weekend with Corach Rambler and she will be aiming to win this event for the second time in three years and she will saddle Your Own Story, who was second at Haydock Park last time out and looks an interesting runner.
A superb six length winner of the Borders National at Kelso earlier in the season, the Sandy Thomson-trained Flower Of Scotland will look to claim another notable prize on Scottish soil and is one of those likely to be on the shortlist for punters, while the Thomson team could also saddle Empire Steel, who was a Listed winner last time out and looks to be potentially improving.
Elvis Mail romped to victory at Kelso last time out and has to be respected here if he can follow up for Nick Alexander, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Gevrey could make a quick reappearance having finished an excellent second in the Irish Grand National two weeks ago and that Cullentra House inmate has to be respected.
It's expected to be an absolutely thrilling renewal and a number of horses will fancy landing a blow in what is always an incident-packed contest and the likes of Undersupervision, Dusart and Flash Collonges add more depth to a race that has been won by some class acts down the years.
