O’Brien hoping Kim Roque can go the distance at Ayr

Joseph O’Brien has faith in Kim Roque’s stamina as he leads the 21-runner field for the Coral Scottish Grand National on Saturday.

The six-year-old is favourite with the sponsors for the four-mile contest at Ayr and is looking to get his nose in front for the first time this campaign.

He has run well in defeat and the Carriganog handler believes his charge, who was last seen finishing fourth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, can make the step up in Scotland.

“He’s doing well and hoping for a good run,” O’Brien said. “He had a good run at Cheltenham and has trained well since then.

“He’s had a good year so far without winning, but hopefully he might be able to make an impact before the year is over.

“We think he has plenty of stamina, but we will find out (whether he handles four miles) at the weekend.”

Danny Mullins will be hoping to make it another family affair aboard Blaze The Way for his mother Margaret Mullins, who bypassed Aintree for the Scottish equivalent.

The jockey partnered Macdermott to victory in this race two years ago for uncle Willie, who went on to become British champion trainer that season.

“He’s in good order, he jumped over Willie’s fences and I’m delighted with him,” Margaret Mullins said.

“We are happy. I wouldn’t be staying at home, I’m happy to be going. He’s a nice horse.

“He ran well at Cheltenham and in the Naas meeting as well, he got bumped into quite a lot, but I was happy. We will give it a go, whether we are good enough we will see.”

King Of Answers is another prominent in the market after his impressive runner-up finish at Prestbury Park in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase.

“He stepped up from what he had done at Cheltenham,” said Michael Scudamore, who trains in partnership with Lucinda Russell.

“The slightly softer ground that looks likely on Saturday should also play to his strengths, he’s got a lot of weight to carry but he’s got that weight because he deserves it.

“He’s had a nice freshen up since Cheltenham and he’s very well. He’s just improved and improved as the season has gone on, which is nice, and hopefully he can take another step forward on Saturday.”

Mark Walford’s Chasingouttheblues is aiming for a hat-trick during a brilliant series of results since the start of 2026.

“He’s in great form. It’s nice to have a go for another decent pot with him,” the North Yorkshire trainer said.

“At the start of the season he probably wasn’t quite right – wasn’t in the best of form – but has really flourished this year and he just keeps going forward really.”

Kim Muir winner Ask Brewster goes for Catherine Williams as does second in that race Road To Home, who is Willie Mullins’ sole runner. Paul Nicholls’ Quebecois is another notable contender.