Macdermott lands Scottish National as Mullins closes in on British Trainers' Championship
The Master of Closutton admitted he 'has one hand' on the trophy after victory in the Ayr showpiece
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Willie Mullins celebrates Macdermott's Scottish Grand National victory at Ayr
We have one hand on it [Trainers’ Championship] but we can’t stop, we’ll keep going.
Willie Mullins took a big step towards the British Trainers’ Championship as Macdermott became Ireland’s first winner of the Scottish Grand National since 1869.
A week on from I Am Maximus’ triumph in the English equivalent, a thrilling finish at Ayr saw the Closutton contender prevail in a photo finish from Surrey Quest after a brilliant battle up the home straight.
A six-year-old had not won this race for three decades but Macdermott ended that run with Danny Mullins on board.
Mullins has now earned over £3m in prize money across the British season, putting him £163,000 clear of Dan Skelton and £255,000 clear of Paul Nicholls as he seeks to emulate Vincent O’Brien and become the first Irish trainer to scoop the plum prize for 70 years.
What a finish to the Scottish Grand National!
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 20, 2024
Macdermott holds on in a photo finish as Willie Mullins takes a big leap towards the British Trainers' Championship, with Danny Mullins on board 🏆#GreenTeam | @dan2231 pic.twitter.com/iN2Mw4tRy4
"It's fantastic, I'm delighted Danny did it," Mullins said.
“We have one hand on it [Trainers’ Championship] but we can’t stop, we’ll keep going.
"We've a bit to go yet and there's still a good bit of prize-money [to play for] but we're in pole position and it looks very good.”
Mullins had six runners in the Scottish showpiece and four of them finished inside the top six, with Klarc Kent, Ontheropes and Spanish Harlem fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
On the tight finish, Mullins added: “I thought we were beaten. To me, the way he jumped was spectacular.
“I’d have no problem aiming him for Aintree next year or Fairyhouse for the Irish National.
“He’s got age on his side, so it’s fantastic. We started him off at two miles and kept running him for experience as he hasn’t many runs under his belt.
“Last season, it took me all season to get him fit enough and he takes so much training, he’s so laid back.
“Now he is getting the hang of it and if we can get him in this sort of form every spring, there are so many staying chases for him to run in.”