Willie Mullins to wage war with massive 22-runner squad at Ayr including ‘exceptional’ Cheltenham Festival winner

WILLIE MULLINS is ready to wage war on his British rivals after entering a huge 22-runner squad at Ayr on their Scottish Grand National day.

The all-conquering Irish trainer landed the British championship last year thanks in part to Macdermott's success in their big race.

And the defending champion is set to run again this year after he was included in Mullins 13-strong team for the 4m £400,000 contest.

Other big names include former Grade 1 bumper winner Kilcruit, who warmed up for a potential run at Ayr with a third-place finish behind Hewick earlier this month.

Shark Hanlon's Hewich has since been smashed in for the Grand National and his trainer reckons he could go off favourite at Aintree on Saturday week.

But it is in the Scottish Champion Hurdle that Mullins looks to really be going for the jugular.

After her brilliant win in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier this month, Mullins said wondermare Kargese could head to Ayr next.

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And she does indeed headline his nine entries for the Grade 2, which, like the National, will be run on Saturday, April 12.

The Kenny Alexander-owned mare was a handicap blot in the Festival handicap and fully justified her 3-1 favourite odds.

A genuine Grade 1 performer, she could prove the one to beat alongside Mullins' other possible runner Absurde.

He won the County in 2024 before going onto finish fifth in last November's Melbourne Cup and was third behind Kargese last time out.

Another notable name is JP McManus' Jalila Moriviere, a recent Mullins recruit who improved for dropping back to 2m when winning at Limerick a few days ago.

Willie Mullins Scottish Grand National entries

A Penny A Hundred
Captain Cody
Chosen Witness
High Class Hero
Judicieuse Allen
Kilcruit
Klarc Kent
Loughglynn
Macdermott
O'Moore Park
Olympic Man
Quai De Bourbon
Spanish Harlem

Willie Mullins Scottish Champion Hurdle entries

Absurde
Batman Girac
Bunting
Ethical Diamond
Gaucher
Jalila Moriviere
Karafon
Kargese
Lot Of Joy

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