The prestigious Scottish National, the top‑tier event in Scotland's National Hunt calendar, was claimed by the duo of trainer Philip Hobbs and jockey Johnson White when their mount Kap Vert surged ahead of rivals Git Maker and Kim Roque to win the Coral Scottish Grand National. The six‑year‑old thoroughbred, only on his fifth start over fences, displayed a remarkable turn of foot and a confident cruising speed under the guidance of Irish rider Sean Houlihan, who kept the horse well positioned throughout the race.
From the outset Kap Vert settled comfortably in the midfield, then began to make steady progress as the field turned into the long, testing home straight. Despite his relative inexperience over obstacles, the horse's jumping technique proved sound; each fence was negotiated cleanly, with the horse maintaining rhythm and balance. This composure stood in stark contrast to the performance of Midlands National winner Isaac Des Obeaux, who, although a proven stayer, made a costly mistake early in the final stretch. Des Obeaux hit a fence hard, losing momentum and eventually slipping back to finish fourth, well out of contention for the win.
Git Maker, another strong contender, suffered an even larger error roughly a mile from the finish. While the horse briefly lost contact with jockey Jonathan Burke, he managed to remount and rally, ultimately crossing the line just one and a half lengths behind the winner.
His determination earned him a respectable second place, but the mistake cost him a shot at the top spot. In third place, the 4‑1 favourite Kim Roque held on despite being pressured by the leaders, showcasing the depth of the field and the competitive nature of the race. Earlier in the same meeting, Hobbs and White had already tasted success, finishing second in the Scottish Champion Hurdle aboard Captain Hugo. The double achievement on a single day highlighted the skill of the training operation and the versatility of the jockey.
The Scottish National victory brought a substantial purse of £112,000 back to Hobbs's stable in Somerset, providing a generous reward for the effort and confirming the team's status among the elite in National Hunt racing. Beyond the Scottish National, the day's racing program featured several notable fixtures on Sky Sports Racing. At Newbury, the Greenham Stakes saw a clash between Zavateri and Albert Einstein, two promising three‑year‑olds vying for early season glory.
The Newbury tipsters favored Zavateri to strike first, citing his recent form and suitability to the course. Meanwhile, the Spring Trials weekend kicked off at the same venue, offering a platform for emerging talent to test their mettle ahead of the classic season. In Newmarket, the Craven Stakes was claimed by Oxagon, delivering a victory for the in‑form stable of trainer John Gosden.
The win reinforced Gosden's reputation for preparing top‑class milers. Elsewhere, Azleet, a long‑shot at 50‑1, captured the Nell Gwyn Stakes, propelling the filly into serious contention for the 1000 Guineas. The upset underscored the unpredictable nature of the early season sprint and mile races, where a single decisive run can reshape the betting landscape. Hollie Doyle contributed a blog entry reflecting on her anticipation of learning more about Derby hopeful Wareeth in the upcoming Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.
Her insights offered fans a glimpse into the preparation and strategy surrounding one of the season's most coveted Classic races. The full race report, including detailed sectional times, rider comments, and post‑race analysis, will be published shortly, providing a comprehensive account of the action that unfolded on this memorable Scottish racing day.