I haven’t thought about next season yet, but he’ll have a relaxing summer break before we start dreaming. Scottish Grand National 2026: Kap Vert takes a resounding victory at the Ayr event, while the favorite finishes only third.

In a stirring display of stamina and courage on testing heavy ground at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the 20-1 outsider Kap Vert delivered a shock triumph in the Coral Scottish Grand National. The six-year-old chestnut gelding, trained by the partnership of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and ridden by Sean Houlihan, powered clear in the closing stages to secure a resounding victory in Scotland’s premier National Hunt chase. Only six horses completed the demanding 3m 7f 176y marathon, underlining the attritional nature of the contest.

Kap Vert crossed the line one and a half lengths ahead of Git Maker in second, with the heavily backed 4-1 favourite Kim Roque finishing a narrow third. Isaac Des Obeaux, winner of the Midlands National, faded into fourth after looking a major threat at one stage. The victory marked the biggest success yet for the Hobbs-White training duo since they joined forces and provided a dream result for the If The Kap Fits syndicate, a group of ten local owners from Somerset.

The race unfolded in gruelling conditions following recent heavy rain. Many contenders struggled with the combination of distance, ground, and the left-handed track. Kap Vert, in only his fifth start over fences, had plenty of question marks against his name beforehand. Yet the horse answered every one of them in spectacular fashion. Houlihan, who has been building a strong association with the yard, delivered a masterful ride. He kept the gelding out of early trouble, allowed him to find a rhythm, and produced him with a well-timed challenge after the final fence.

Houlihan described the performance afterwards: the horse came alive once switched out on the first circuit, jumped efficiently, and stayed on powerfully. “There was a slight scare four out, but from there on in it was just keeping your cool,” the jockey said. “He’s very genuine.” His cool head proved decisive in a race where several fancied runners failed to handle the demands.

For joint-trainer Johnson White, the win represented far more than just a notable success. Speaking to Racing TV, he highlighted the unknowns surrounding the horse entering the contest. “There were a lot of unknowns about Kap Vert today – the distance, the ground, going left-handed – but he ticked them all with credit and it’s opened up no end of options for next season,” White explained. He added the title quote that perfectly captured the moment: “I haven’t thought about next season yet, but he’ll have a relaxing summer break before we start dreaming.

Aintree is in the back of my mind but he needs to be off the right rating.”

The story behind Kap Vert adds extra warmth to the triumph. The horse was privately acquired from leading owner Ronnie Bartlett after showing promise over hurdles in Ireland. Switched to chasing this season, he had won twice at Taunton under Houlihan before stepping up dramatically in class for the Scottish National. Bartlett himself was gracious in defeat, being among the first to congratulate the new connections. Kim Roque, still owned by Bartlett, ran a solid race to finish third despite starting as favourite.

Phil Ghazala, a member of the winning syndicate and a showjumping commentator, could scarcely believe the outcome. Having only recently returned from the World Cup Finals in Texas, he admitted the syndicate entered the race with modest expectations. “I said to Philip Hobbs when we got involved with this horse that if he won round Newton Abbot or Taunton, I’d be very happy. This is a different level and it’s a dream,” Ghazala said. The group’s joy was palpable in the winner’s enclosure, where tears flowed freely.

The Scottish Grand National has a proud history of producing surprise winners and launching careers. This year’s renewal, run on heavy going that tested every participant, lived up to its reputation as a true staying test. With only six finishers, the attrition rate highlighted the challenge. Promontory, Chasingouttheblues, and others showed promise but could not match the winner’s late surge. The winning time of 9 minutes 5.23 seconds reflected the demanding surface.

Kap Vert’s pedigree – by Kapgarde out of Tavera – suggests he has the right blend of stamina and jumping ability for staying chases. His efficient fencing throughout the race stood out, as he barely touched a twig despite the testing conditions. This performance elevates him from a progressive novice to a horse with genuine aspirations for bigger targets. Connections will now consider options for the 2026/27 season, with the Grand National at Aintree mentioned as a long-term possibility, provided the handicapper remains kind.

For Hobbs and White, the result caps a successful campaign and validates their decision to target this race. The partnership has built a reputation for developing talented jumpers, and Kap Vert now stands as their flagship performer. Sean Houlihan’s growing profile also received a significant boost; his ride was a textbook example of patience and timing in a National Hunt marathon.

The wider racing community celebrated the result as a victory for the smaller connections in an era often dominated by big-money operations. Just a week after high-profile success at Aintree, this win at Ayr reminded everyone of the magic of jumps racing: an under-rated horse, a tactical masterclass, and owners living the dream.

As the horses returned to their boxes and Ayr’s crowds dispersed, the focus shifted to the future. Kap Vert will enjoy a well-earned summer break, grazing and recovering from his exertions. For his team, the dreaming can begin in earnest once the handicapper’s assessment arrives. Whatever lies ahead, this Scottish Grand National victory will forever be remembered as the day a 20-1 shot from Somerset wrote his name into racing folklore.

In the unpredictable world of National Hunt racing, days like this reaffirm why enthusiasts return year after year. Kap Vert’s triumph was not just about speed or jumping – it was about heart, preparation, and seizing the moment when the biggest stage beckoned. Scotland’s great chase has a new hero, and the summer break promises to be filled with hopeful anticipation for even greater adventures to come.