Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Macdermott and Surrey Quest, separated by a nose twelve months ago, are set to clash again in the £200,000 Coral Scottish Grand National.
The pair, trained respectively by Willie Mullins and Toby Lawes, arrive at Ayr in very contrasting form as the latter was an excellent third in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh while the former has only completed once in four starts this term and was pulled up when seen out at Punchestown in February.
Last year’s hero Macdermott is one of six runners in the near four-mile marathon for Willie Mullins, whose number one hope appears to be market principal Chosen Witness.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, a three-time previous winning trainer, could go close again with The Kniphand, who as an excellent runner-up in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last month.
Magna Sam, trained by Alistair Ralph, has stamina in abundance as he won the Edinburgh National in 2023 before adding another victory in the same contest to his portfolio 69-days ago.
Nicky Richards, successful in 2019 with Takingrisks, saddles Famous Bridge in the familiar Hemmings Racing colours while Scottish interest comes in the shape of Sandy Thomson’s top-weight Mr Incredible.