The Scottish Grand National is a National Hunt chase that is run at Ayr Racecourse in Scotland. The horserace takes place every year during April. It is the highlight of the Scottish horse jumping season. The total purse for the race is £200,000 in 2010 with the winner taking home £114,020. The Scottish Grand National takes place a few weeks after the Aintree Grand National in the UK and many horses have been known to participate in both events. While some horses have won both events, only Red Rum in 1974 won both in the same year.
History
The Scottish Grand National was inaugurated in 1867 and was original held at Bogside racecourse close to Irvine under the name, West of Scotland Grand National. It was originally 3 miles long, but later got increased to 3 miles and 7 furlongs in length. In 1881, the name of the race changed to the Scottish Grand National. In 1891, only two horses competed in the race and neither horse could clear the second fence resulting in no winner that year. In 1966, the event was moved to Ayr Racecourse and the race was extended yet again to 4 miles and 110 yards.
Horses
The Scottish Grand National is open to horse that are five year old and older. It is a handicap race.
Course
The Scottish Grand National is run on a 4 mile and 110 yard racetrack with twenty seven fences. It is a grade 3 handicap chase.