AYR preview By Gordon Brown

WILLIE MULLINS is mob-handed as he bids to become the first Irish trainer to land the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The Closutton maestro, who has failed to strike at the west of Scotland venue with any of his five previous runners, is set to saddle six runners in the £200,000 showpiece including three of the market principals, Macdermott, Mr Incredible and Spanish Harlem.

Other Irish interest in the four-mile contest is supplied by Henry De Bromhead’s Whacker Clan, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, and Stuart Crawford-trained Gold Cup Bailly.

Lucinda Russell, successful in 2021 with Mighty Thunder, and Nick Alexander fly the flag for the home national by saddling Inis Oirr and Elvis Mail respectively.

Anglers Crag could also have a major say in proceedings as he has won all four starts this campaign with his latest success coming with a gutsy victory in the marathon Eider Chase at Newcastle in February.

The first £500,000 fixture in Scotland also features the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.

Likely favourite is L’Eau du Sud, a close second in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, whose trainer Dan Skelton was responsible for the 2016 scorer Ch’tibello.

Ewan Whillans-trained Cracking Rhapsody attempts to follow up his win in Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle while Mullins chips in with another three runners in the shape of Bialystok, Westport Cove and Alvaniy.