Date: Saturday 12th April 2025
The Scottish Grand National usually rewards the type of horse still improving over staying trips rather than one already fully exposed as a marathon handicapper. Recent run, enough chase experience and the ability to travel through a big field are still among the key ingredients.
The key trends again point towards a horse aged between seven and ten, rated 135 or higher, carrying no more than 11 stone 3 pounds and arriving here off a run within the previous 35 days. This is not always a race for the obvious one in the market and it often pays to side with a horse that still looks to have more in hand than the handicapper fully realises.
These are the three that come out strongest on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Captain Cody | 222 |
| Chosen Witness | 214 |
| Rock My Way | 206 |
| Olympic Man | 201 |
| Surrey Quest | 194 |
The ratings favour the runners with recent winning or placed form, a manageable weight and enough staying evidence to suggest they can cope with four miles in a big-field handicap.
MAIN SELECTION
Captain Cody (12/1 available)
He comes out top on the figures and looks very solid on the race trends.
He has the right age, the right type of recent run and enough proven staying form to suggest this sort of test should suit. He also looks the type who could still have a bit in hand from his mark, which is often crucial in a race like this.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Chosen Witness (5/1 available)
The obvious market leader and one with a profile that makes him very hard to ignore.
He may not have quite the same depth of staying handicap evidence as the selection, but there is plenty of upside there and he clearly comes into the race with a major chance. If he sees it out strongly enough he could take a lot of beating.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Rock My Way (14/1 available)
A fair-priced runner with enough of the right attributes to make him interesting.
He fits the age and rating profile, has enough chase experience and looks the sort who could run well if able to settle into a good rhythm. Not the obvious winner on paper, but definitely not one to rule out.
SUMMARY
Captain Cody heads the ratings as the strongest overall fit with the main Scottish Grand National trends, with Chosen Witness the obvious market threat and Rock My Way another who could run a big race if staying strongly enough in the closing stages.
