Coral Scottish Grand National
Ayr 15:35
Grade 3 Handicap Chase,
£200,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus,
3m 7f 176y, Class 1   
Saturday 12th April 2025

QuinnBet

1 Captain Cody 9/1
2 Klarc Kent 14/1
3 Our Power 33/1
4 Grozni 22/1
5 Rock My Way 8/1
23 ran Distances: 1l, 10l, 2¼l
Time: 8m 20.56s (slow by 16.56s)

They came hammering into the straight at Ayr, the race hanging in the balance, and for a moment it looked like Klarc Kent – bold and brave under Jonathan Burke – had stolen it. But in behind, ice-cool and unflustered, Harry Cobden was playing a long game.

Smuggled round the outer, almost invisible for much of the final circuit, Captain Cody arrived on the scene with the stealth of a thief in the night. And when Cobden asked, the response was immediate. Despite brushing close to the last, the seven-year-old found another gear to sweep by his stablemate and score by a length – a ride of supreme patience and precision on just Cobden’s second ever mount for Willie Mullins.

It was a one-two for the master of Closutton – yet another demonstration of the depth in Mullins’ staying squad, just a week on from his Grand National 1-2-3 at Aintree. Our Power came home third, but all the spoils once again headed back across the Irish Sea.

With the title race heating up, this was a massive result for Mullins, whose main challenger Dan Skelton saw his hopes unravel within minutes. Sail Away was brought down at the first after last year’s runner-up Surrey Quest fell in front of him, and Snipe exited just a couple of fences later. Cruel luck in a contest that often takes no prisoners.

As the race unfolded, a field that once looked packed with contenders began to thin. Macdermott, last year’s hero, was pulled up early, while Rock My Way, Grozni, and Our Power tried to stretch them. But it was always Klarc Kent and Captain Cody who travelled like horses with petrol left in the tank.

Mullins – who saddled both – was full of praise. “Unbelievable runs from both horses,” he said. “These marathon races don’t come around often, and they take some getting over, but we’ve always known they had this in them.”

He had a laugh too, recalling the unique instruction given to Cobden: “I told him the horse only wins for Jody Townend – Paul’s sister – and not so much for Paul. So I said, ‘Harry, put on your best ladies’ voice!’ He’s Ms Harry Cobden now!”

For Cobden, it was all about rhythm and patience. “I just wanted to get him settled and creep into it,” he said. “At Cheltenham I saw how well he travelled before tipping Danny [Mullins] off. I knew there was an engine there. When you’re riding one like that for Willie Mullins, you just stay quiet and trust it’ll come.”

But there was a sombre footnote to a thrilling race. Both Macdermott and The Kniphand suffered fatal injuries, a tragic reminder of the risks in these grueling tests of stamina and courage.

Still, on a day of drama, strategy, and sorrow, it was Captain Cody’s turn to shine – and with it, Willie Mullins edges ever closer to another title, though he’s not quite counting it yet.

“Dan will keep firing – if he wins it, he’ll have earned it the hard way. But we’re still in it. Today turned around just in time.”

Boylesports

Coral Scottish Grand National
 £200,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 7f 176y, Class 1
23 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Captain Cody 7 11-4 W P Mullins Harry Cobden 9/1
2 1 Klarc Kent 9 10-0 W P Mullins Jonathan Burke 14/1
3 10 Our Power 10 11-7 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnson 33/1
4 2¼ Grozni 9 10-5 James Owen Callum Pritchard 22/1
5 2½ Rock My Way 7 10-11 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 8/1
6 4 Flash De Touzaine 10 10-7 Liz Doyle Sean Flanagan 33/1
7 21 Olympic Man 8 11-6 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 15/2F
8 12 Henry's Friend 8 11-8 Ben Pauling Ben Jones 28/1
BD Sail Away 9 10-10 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 11/1
BD Hasthing 8 10-11 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr. 16/1
CO Spanish Harlem 7 11-0 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 9/1
FELL Surrey Quest 8 11-3 Toby Lawes Kevin Brogan 12/1
FELL The Kniphand 7 10-5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 14/1
FELL Snipe 8 10-4 Dan Skelton Harry Atkins 28/1
PU Magna Sam 11 10-0 Alastair Ralph Jonathan Burke 28/1
PU Mr Incredible 9 12-0 Sandy Thomson Alice Stevens 66/1
PU Dom Of Mary 9 10-4 David Bridgwater Caolin Quinn 40/1
PU Wiseguy 9 10-7 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 20/1
PU Famous Bridge 9 11-5 Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan 14/1
PU Walking On Air 8 10-6 Faye Bramley Richie McLernon 33/1
PU Chosen Witness 8 11-1 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 12/1
PU Brandt 7 9-12 Cian Collins Sean Bowen 14/1
PU Macdermott 7 11-6 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 16/1

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