Featuring the Aintree Grand National and Dubai World Cup, the first week in April began with a bang on the racing front. Whilst not quite matching those pyrotechnics, week two of the springtime month offers more than enough to keep the good times rolling.
For those involved in racing north of the border, there is no bigger weekend than Scottish Grand National weekend. The staying chase marvel from Ayr rolls into town just seven days after its Aintree inspiration and dominates the weekend entertainment. Elsewhere, we have a midweek Listed class double and informative flat action from both sides of the Irish Sea.
Listed Duo Light Up Midweek Fare
Much of the midweek passes by in a familiar fashion, i.e. entertaining and crammed with betting opportunities, but rarely rising above mediocre quality. However, things perk up on Wednesday afternoon, with Listed class contests headlining the cards at Nottingham and Leopardstown.
First up at 3:48, we have the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes from the Dublin venue. Unusually, for a high-class Irish contest, Aidan O’Brien sits only second on the all-time trainer’s list for this one-mile event. Top spot belongs to the living legend Dermot Weld, who looks set to be represented by the Siyouni filly Azada in 2025.
Having waited three days for a Listed class event, another arrives only seven minutes later at Nottingham. Named in honour of the staying star from the early 90s, the Further Flight Stakes was much missed on the staying scene last year, with the 2024 edition abandoned due to a waterlogged track. Hopefully, no such misfortune befalls the race in 2025 as there are several intriguing entries, including Group winner Al Qareem and Lavender Hill Mob, who was last sighted in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.
Scottish Grand National Top of the Saturday Bill
If Grand Nationals are your thing, April is the finest month of the year. Hot on the heels of the Aintree extravaganza and one week before the Irish version at Fairyhouse, Ayr hosts the biggest day of the Scottish racing year.
Taking pride of place on the eight-race card is the staying chase marathon of the Scottish Grand National. At four miles, the trip is a little shorter than the Aintree behemoth, whilst the standard fences aren’t as intimidating. Those differences may make things a little easier for the runners, but punters regularly struggle to identify the winner. Cheltenham Festival runner-up Johnnywho tops the 2025 betting, but five of the past 10 winners returned an SP of 18/1 or bigger.
Chief support is provided by the Scottish Champion Hurdle, which, unlike the Cheltenham version, is run under handicap conditions. With the British Trainers’ title still a possibility, Willie Mullins has eight entries in this £100,000 event, headed by County Hurdle heroine Kargese.
Spring Trials Meeting at Newbury
The headline acts may belong to the jumping game, but the 2025 flat campaign is now in full swing. The pick of the weekend action on the level comes at Newbury on Saturday with Day 2 of the Spring Trials meeting.
The older horses get their chance to shine over 1m4f in the opening John Porter Stakes before the Classic generation takes centre stage in races two and three.
The seven-furlong Fred Darling Stakes recalls a locally based training legend and regularly attracts runners with an eye on 1,000 Guineas glory. The Roger Varian-trained Elmalka managed only third in the 2024 edition before going two places better in the Newmarket Classic.
One for Italy!
An emotional success for the @MarcoBotti yard as the unbeaten Folgaria lands the Dubai Duty Free (Fred Darling) Stakes at @NewburyRacing under @HollieDoyle1! pic.twitter.com/aXfF2vWLMv
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 20, 2024
Taking place over the same seven-furlong trip, the Greenham Stakes roll of honour features the names of Mill Reef, Paco Boy, Kingman, Muhaarar, and the mighty Frankel, who preceded his 2,000 Guineas romp with an effortless success in the 2011 edition.
Group 3 Double at the Curragh
If the triple salvo of Group 3 action from Newbury isn’t enough, the Irish track of the Curragh weighs in with two more on Saturday afternoon. Open to fillies and mares aged three and above, the one-mile Park Express Stakes presents an intriguing early season clash of the generations, whilst the Alleged Stakes has fallen to St Leger champ Brian Boru and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Dylan Thomas.
