AYR hosts the first of three Grand Nationals in two weeks on Saturday.

The Scottish Grand National looks to be an absolute cracker – with a host of top horses running.

But who to back – and why?

Sun Racing tipster Steve Mullen (Templegate to you and me) goes through EVERY runner below and delivers his verdict. Good luck!

Scottish Grand National 2022 runners

HILL SIXTEEN 5

HILL on high. Has lots of weight but went close in good company at Kelso and jumped well when second in the Becher at Aintree. Stays and big chance under good 5lb claimer.

VINTAGE CLOUDS 2

VINTAGE getting on. Has run well in this race three times including a 2018 third. 12 now and has struggled since his shock Ultima win at last year’s Festival. Must turn back the clock.

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KITTY’S LIGHT 4

LIGHT fantastic. Unlucky not to win the Bet365 Chase at Sandown last year and ran a cracker when second at Kempton. Stays and is only six so should have more to come. Major player.

FANTASTIKAS 4

BIG Fan. Still early days and won a couple of decent Lingfield contests before a solid effort at Cheltenham last month. Must prove stamina but shapes like a stayer and has more to offer.

FIDUX 1

DUX sunk. Inconsistent chaser who was poor at Donny after a good effort in a Haydock marathon. Little high in the weights for what he’s achieved.

JERSEY BEAN 3

BEAN machine. Stayed 3m4f when winning at Haydock last time and will enjoy this ground. This is tougher but stamina is an asset so an each-way chance.

WIN MY WINGS 4

WING it. Won the marathon Eider at Newcastle so staying not an issue and she handles any ground. An 8lb rise for that victory is offset by her rider’s claim and she has strong claims.

ASHTOWN LAD 4

HOT Ash. Few miles on the clock and fair run in a Grade 2 at Wetherby. Yard does well at this meeting and the stamina test could bring improvement. On the shortlist.

THE WOLF 3

WOLF on prowl. Knocking on the door in good races at Cheltenham and the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last time. That proved his stamina and he can improve. Won’t be far away.

STREETS OF DOYEN 2

MEAN Streets. Top-class in hurdles but hasn’t matched that as a chaser. Will find this easier than Cheltenham but something to prove over fences.

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STORMY JUDGE 4

GOOD Judge. Full-brother to last year’s third and from a yard that does well with raiders from Ireland. Good effort in Leinster National so should stay. If he handles this better ground he’s a massive player.

VIA DOLOROSA 2

DULL Dol. A couple of minor wins over 3m but has shot up the weights and needs more at this level.

PRIME VENTURE 1

PRIME cut. Running well in veterans’ races in the mud. This looks a lot tougher.

CHIRICO VALLIS 2

CHIR him on. Consistent and stays, including when second at Donny last time. Decent ground suits but must raise his game.

INNISFREE LAD 3

BIG Lad. Good third in the Eider last time and Brian Hughes on board. Looks high in the weights but can run well.

ONE MORE FLEURIE 3

MORE to come. Won a good novice chase at last year’s meeting but been poor since. Better ground will help and he jumps well. Needed the run at Cheltenham and can improve.

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MAJOR DUNDEE 3

DUN deal. Just three chase runs but all were promising. Looks a proper stayer on a fair mark for top trainer. One to consider.

HISTORY OF FASHION 3

HISTORY maker. Another from canny Peter Fahy, has unseated a couple of times this season in between good runs, including at Navan last time. Should stay and can’t be discounted.

COURT MASTER 2

MASTER plan. Solid fourth in the Eider when he seemed to stay in his own time. Decent ground suits but needs to improve.

ASK A HONEY BEE 2

BEE lucky. Bits of form in a small field and shapes like he’ll stay. Didn’t look an easy ride at Catterick last time but has some ability.

THE FERRY MASTER

FERRY solid. Good fourth last year and back with less weight. Second at Newcastle a good warm-up and he’ll go close again if lasting home a bit better.

EL PASO WOOD 2

WOOD chopped. Won little race at Wincanton in January but well beaten three times since and this looks too much.

COOL MIX 4

IN the Mix. Fifth in this last year and off much lower mark today, plus his rider takes 7lb off. Went close at Musselburgh last time and he stays. Big each-way chance again.

STRONG ECONOMY 1

STRONG weak. Fell here last time and form well short of this standard.

Scottish Grand National Templegate tip

IT’S sweet Sixteen in the Scottish Grand National (3.35 Ayr).

HILL SIXTEEN can give trainer Sandy Thomson a long overdue win in the big race.

The Scottish trainer keeps hitting the woodwork but he has a big chance with this nine-year-old who went close in hot company at Kelso last time.

He’s been hiked 9lb but rising star Mark McDonagh takes off more than half. The jockey has been second in the Midlands National and won the Ulster version last week so knows how to ride a stayer.

Kitty’s Light is a worthy favourite who will be hard to beat after another good effort at Kempton. Fantastikas has more to offer over fences and is a strong contender for team Twiston-Davies.

Stormy Judge looks the pick of Peter Fahy’s Irish raiders, while Cool Mix has a feather weight and was fifth last year so won’t be far away.

Win My Wings and Ashtown Lad are others to note in a wide-open race.

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