Scottish Grand National 2023: Betting Trends and Form Pointers

Search for Value Lower Down the Weights

The Scottish Grand National has been staged 21 times during the 21st century, and just six horses have carried 11st or more to victory.

Six of this year’s line-up have been allotted that weight or higher including the top two in the betting – Kitty’s Light and Monbeg Genius.

Kitty’s Light is bang on the 11st mark and has been backed into 4/1 with 10bet following his victory in the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February.

Christian Williams’ charge finished second in this race last year and has three pounds less to carry, but a couple of other trends suggest he may find it difficult to go one better

Seven-Year-Olds Have a Poor Record

Just three seven-year-olds have won the Scottish Grand National this century – Gingembre (2001), Godsmejudge (2013) and Vicente (2016).

Eight-year-olds have the best record with six victories, while nine-year-olds have won the race five times during this period.

Horses aged have recorded four successes and there have been three 11-year-old winners, but none since Wayward Prince in 2015.

Nine of this year’s field are seven-year-olds including Kitty’s Light, Monbeg Genius, Gevrey and Your Own Story.

Pay Heed to the Favourites Trend

Having finished second last year and run an excellent prep race at Newcastle, it would be foolish to underestimate Kitty’s Light this weekend.

However, favourites have not fared well in the Scottish Grand National in recent years, which is another worrying trend to add to the previous two.

By contrast, Flash Collonges could offer value further down the weights. He is set to carry just 10st 8lbs, is an eight-year-old and priced at 18/1 with 10bet.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this race on three previous occasions (1997, 2016 & 2017), and his horse could give each-way punters a good run for their money.