Scottish Grand National 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Willie Mullins secures incredible 1-2 in chaotic Ayr race – latest
THE Scottish Grand National is all over and it is Willie Mullins who has secured a sensational 1-2 in Ayr!
Harry Cobden on the back of Captain Cody took the victory, while Klarc Kent came second.
But the win was overshadowed by the fatalities of Willie Mullins' 2024 winner Macdermott and The Kniphand.
- WINNER: Captain Cody
Follow ALL of the latest from Ayr with our live blog below...
Tributes to horses
Fans have been left saddened by the deaths of Macdermott and The Kniphand.
One wrote online: "Very sad, can't imagine how the people who look after them everyday are feeling."
Another added: "Heartbreaking."
A third said: "Terrible news."
Up for grabs
There was plenty of cash on offer:
- 1st: £112,540
- 2nd: £42,400
- 3rd: £21,220
- 4th: £10,600
- 5th: £5,320
- 6th: £2,660
- 7th: £1,320
- 8th: £680
What were the odds?
These were the pre-race favourites on Saturday:
- Olympic Man: 7-1
- The Knipland: 9-1
- Rock My Way: 10-1
- Captain Cody: 11-1
- Spanish Harlem: 11-1
- Brandt: 12-1
- Surrey Quest: 12-1
- Famous Bridge: 12-1
Scottish Grand National - Top Six
- Captain Cody 9-1
- Klarc Kent 14-1
- Our Power 33-1
- Grozni 22-1
- Rock My Way 8-1
- Flash De Touzine 33-1
Horses for courses
Jonathan Burke, jockey of second place Klarc Kent reflected: "He ran a great race.
"He’d been out of form all season, but that means nothing with Willie and I was delighted when the call came.
“I thought he’d win at the last and he actually quickened and I thought ‘we’re away’.
"But in the last half-furlong I could see the orange colours coming. But I was relieved it was one of Willie’s."
Winner's delight
Winning jockey Harry Cobden has had his say on victory.
The ace said: "I didn’t want to get there too soon and I knew I was going to beat Johnny [Burke, Klarc Kent].
"Even to the last, there was a long one there, but I thought: 'You are not going for the photo, just get him into the bottom, get him over it and away he went'.
"He had been saving the whole way."
Surrey Quest health update
Surrey Quest is OK after a fall, with Toby Lawes Racing tweeting: "Surrey Quest is fine after his first fence fall in the Scottish Grand National.
"Deflating but we are grateful to be taking him home
"Thoughts with the connections of The Kniphand and Macdermott, we must never take these horses for granted."
Kent staying put
Willie Mullins has revealed Klarc Kent will not be sold after his magnificent run to second place.
Mullins said: “I thought the game was up and it was going to be tough to come back unless we won everything between now and Sandown. But we’re back in the game now.
“You could see me anywhere now. We’ll keep an eye on all the entries and we’re keeping all guns blazing. We’re going to give it our best shot.
“Captain Cody could make into an Aintree horse or a horse for any of those big handicaps.
“It was a smart performance and I was delighted with Klarc Kent. He was on our list for sale – now he’ll probably have to come off it. He’s just coming right.”
Sad losses
Just eight horses made it to the finish line in a chaotic Scottish Grand National.
A win for Captain Cody was overshadowed by the sad deaths of former champion Macdermott and The Kniphand.
- Captain Cody 9-1
- Klarc Kent 14-1
- Our Power 33-1
- Grozni 22-1
- Rock My Way 8-1
- Flash De Touzine 33-1
- Olympic Man 15/2 fav
- Henry's Friend 28/1
BD: Sail Away, Hasthing
CO: Spanish Harlem
F: Surrey Quest, The Kniphand, Snipe
PU: Magna Sam, Mr Incredible, Dom of Mary, Wiseguy, Famous Bridge, Walking On Air, Chosen Witness, Brandt, Macdermott
Prize pot
Willie Mullins pockets £156,260 at the Scottish Grand National.
His 1-2 sees him win £112,540 from champion Captain Cody and £42,400 via Klarc Kent.
The favourite Olympic Man coming home in seventh saw him get a bonus £1,320.
Here is a full breakdown of the prize money:
- 1st: £112,540
- 2nd: £42,400
- 3rd: £21,220
- 4th: £10,600
- 5th: £5,320
- 6th: £2,660
- 7th: £1,320
- 8th: £680
Winning moment
A stunning home straight from Captain Cody ridden by Harry Cobden in the orange and blue.
Klarc Kent and Our Power were ahead approaching the final fence.
Tributes flood in
Fans have been left saddened by the deaths of Macdermott and The Kniphand today.
One wrote online: "Very sad, can't imagine how the people who look after them everyday are feeling."
Another added: "Heartbreaking."
A third said: "Terrible news."
Two horses died at Scottish Grand National
Macdermott and The Kniphand have sadly passed away following today's race.
Macdermott, who was trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his nephew Danny, won the event last year.
Reports state that he suffered a heart attack and was pulled up this afternoon.
The Kniphand was fatally injured after a fall just a couple of fences from the finish line.
Tough race
The four-mile trip over the fences at Ayr ended with just eight of the 23 runners crossing the line.
Three horses fell with another brought down while one was carried out, another unseated his rider and nine were pulled up.
Clerk of the course, Graeme Anderson, said after the meeting: “All the jockeys are okay.
“Harry Atkins was stood down because he was knocked out, but everybody else is up and OK."
Fans will see more of Mullins
Mullins promised Scots punters they’ll be seeing plenty more of him.
Mullins will now target Kelso on April 22 before hunting down the £310,000 on offer at Perth’s three-day meeting later that week.
So Scottish racing fans are in for a treat as the Irish powerhouse goes head-to-head with Dan Skelton for the trophy.
Morning reading
Grand National results
A reminder of the finishing results. A win for Captain Cody overshadowed by the sad deaths of former champion Macdermott and The Kniphand.
- Captain Cody 9-1
- Klarc Kent 14-1
- Our Power 33-1
- Grozni 22-1
- Rock My Way 8-1
- Flash De Touzine 33-1
- Olympic Man 15/2 fav
- Henry’s Friend 28/1
BD: Sail Away, Hasthing
CO: Spanish Harlem
F: Surrey Quest, The Kniphand, Snipe
PU: Magna Sam, Mr Incredible, Dom of Mary, Wiseguy, Famous Bridge, Walking On Air, Chosen Witness, Brandt, Macdermott
Klarc Kent won't be sold
Willie Mullins has revealed Klarc Kent will not be sold after his magnificent run to second place.
It was a bad day for the legendary trainer up until the National.
Mullins said: "I thought the game was up and it was going to be tough to come back unless we won everything between now and Sandown. But we’re back in the game now.
“You could see me anywhere now. We’ll keep an eye on all the entries and we’re keeping all guns blazing. We’re going to give it our best shot.
“Captain Cody could make into an Aintree horse or a horse for any of those big handicaps.
"It was a smart performance and I was delighted with Klarc Kent. He was on our list for sale – now he’ll probably have to come off it. He’s just coming right.”
Pipped on the home straight
Jonathan Burke, jockey of second place Klarc Kent reflected: "He ran a great race. He’d been out of form all season, but that means nothing with Willie and I was delighted when the call came.
“I thought he’d win at the last and he actually quickened and I thought ‘we’re away’.
"But in the last half-furlong I could see the orange colours coming. But I was relieved it was one of Willie’s."
Cobden reacts
Winning jockey Harry Cobden said: "I didn’t want to get there too soon and I knew I was going to beat Johnny [Burke, Klarc Kent].
"Even to the last, there was a long one there, but I thought: 'You are not going for the photo, just get him into the bottom, get him over it and away he went'. He had been saving the whole way."
Credit: PA Positive news
Several horses fell and pulled up in the Scottish Grand National, with two fatalities confirmed.
Thankfully, Surrey Quest is OK, with Toby Lawes Racing tweeting: "Surrey Quest is fine after his first fence fall in the Scottish Grand National.
"Deflating but we are grateful to be taking him home
"Thoughts with the connections of The Kniphand and Macdermott, we must never take these horses for granted."
Race results
Just eight horses made it to the finish line in a chaotic Scottish Grand National.
- Captain Cody 9-1
- Klarc Kent 14-1
- Our Power 33-1
- Grozni 22-1
- Rock My Way 8-1
- Flash De Touzine 33-1
- Olympic Man 15/2 fav
- Henry's Friend 28/1
BD: Sail Away, Hasthing
CO: Spanish Harlem
F: Surrey Quest, The Kniphand, Snipe
PU: Magna Sam, Mr Incredible, Dom of Mary, Wiseguy, Famous Bridge, Walking On Air, Chosen Witness, Brandt, Macdermott
Scottish Grand National - Top Six
- Captain Cody 9-1
- Klarc Kent 14-1
- Our Power 33-1
- Grozni 22-1
- Rock My Way 8-1
- Flash De Touzine 33-1
Delighted Mullins
Willie Mullins said: "What a ride, he was last over the second fence.
"He was travelling and really travelling, put on best female voice and it worked.
"This puts us back in the game for the Trainer's Championship."
Victory for Cobden
Jockey Coden post-race said: "Willie is a gentlemen and did not give me any instructions.
"Got him into a lovely rhythm and popped the last."
He has pocketed £112,000 for the win!
