Ben Morgan’s Saturday tips – Ayr – 2026 Scottish Grand National set for wide-open showdown

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Saturday’s action at Ayr, including the 2026 Scottish Grand National.

Ayr 2.20 – Ralph raid at Ayr could pay off

The Scottish Champion Hurdle looks as competitive as ever this year with many different form lines set to be tested.

You couldn’t really write anything off in this race I don’t think, and you may think I am daft putting up the rank outsider in WELSH CHARGER, but I do actually think he has a solid each way chance.

A disappointing run last time out could be forgiven on the account of the heavy ground at Taunton that day and it also not being a track that would necessarily suit him.

All of his form suggests a stiff 2 miles on good to soft ground represent perfect conditions for him and if you look at his form in the first half of the season, he is bang up there with some of the best handicappers this season.

He finished a close 5th in this race last season and although he is out of the handicap a bit here I, along with trainer Alastair Ralph, believe he can shake up with the market principals at huge prices.

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Ayr 3.35 – Top connections target Scottish Grand National glory again

The absence of the army of Willie Mullins runners makes this year’s Scottish Grand National a wide open event.

There is a vast range here in terms of ability and form and because of this I am looking at some of the classier horses at the top of the market and top of my shortlist is QUEBECOIS who ran a blinder in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time out.

He just got outstayed in the dying strides by both Johnnywho and Jagwar and the former ran a huge race in the Grand National last weekend and the latter was a warm order for the race before coming to grief.

The horse back in 4th Blow Your Wad has since come out and won and those four horses were nicely clear of the remainder which suggests they were all well handicapped.

I think that form is strong and despite my selection getting nudged up 5lb for coming third I think Paul Nicholls and Max McNeil will be hopeful he can repeat last year’s hurdle success here at Ayr in the feature race of the weekend. 

Ayr 4.15 – Stride On looks primed to end season on a high

This is a warm novice hurdle I think and they all look like nice chasers for next year but at the current prices I think STRIDE ON looks the bet on Saturday.

A respectable hurdle debut over 2 miles here behind the well regarded Upon Tweed was followed by a disappointing run at Carlisle.

A small break ensued and he returned last time with a dominant victory here at Ayr and although the bare form might not be all that much, the manner of his 19 length victory was most impressive.

Stepped up another couple of furlongs here I think he can take all the beating. Despite my confidence in Stride On, I would like to give LAGUNA BEACH a positive mention as he is the only runner from the Nicky Henderson stable at Ayr on Saturday.

I put him up last time out at Sandown but the bottomless ground that day seemed to catch him out and he ended up being pulled up despite travelling well to a point.

Back on some better ground, I expect a better performance and I believe he will outrun odds of 12/1.

READ MORE: Scottish Grand National 2026: Race analysis, betting preview and how to watch on TV