The Coral Scottish Grand National

In Scotland, one of the most anticipated events of the horse racing season is the Scottish Grand National. From last year, after Coral became the new sponsor, the race will now be known as the Coral Scottish Grand National. It is a race that was started in 1867 at the Bogside Racecourse, but after the course’s closure, this magnificent racing event moved to the Ayr Racecourse in 1966. While being run at Bogside racecourse, the race was run over a distance of 6 236 meters, today it is run over a distance of 6 538 meters.

The Sottish Grand National is a jumps racing event with the biggest purse of more than £500 000, with £200 000 for the National race and £100 000 waiting for the winner of the Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle. The two days of non-stop racing action at the Coral Scottish Grand National attracts an estimated twenty thousand spectators, with a further nine hundred thousand who watch the event on television. It is a Grade 3 hunt race for five year old horses and most horses entered into this premier twenty seven hurdle event have enjoyed good runs at the Aintree Grand National.

Each year, the horses improve and look to add their names to long and distinguished list that already exists. The very first winner of the Scottish Grand National, at Bogside Racecourse, was The Elk in 1867. Other legendary horses followed, such as Orcadian in 1887, Estuna in 1926, Queen’s Taste in 1953 and 1954, and Couvrefeu II in 1911, 1912 and 1913. After the race was moved to the Ayr Racecourse, horses such as African Patrol (1966), Red Rum in 1974 (also won the Aintree Grand National in the same year), Androma in 1984 and 1985, Baronet in 1998, Joes Edge in 2005, and last year’s winner, Hot Weld, made the list of winners.

This year, the racing spectacular will take place on the 18th and 19th of April 2008. It will once again bring the racing elite to the Ayr Racecourse to enjoy two days of entertainment, racing and a fashion spectacular. To enjoy a handicap chase of magnificent popularity and support, spectators should ensure that they make their way to the racecourse in April for a racing extravaganza.