Mullins in Prime Position for Trainers’ Title after Macdermott’s Win at Scottish National

The 18-1 shot won in a photo finish with Surrey Quest to claim the valuable handicap under Danny Mullins. This victory boosted Mullins’ British prize money to over £3 million for the season, following his Grand National success at Aintree with I Am Maximus. The winning trainer now leads Dan Skelton by £163,000 and Paul Nicholls by £255,000 in the title race, which concludes next week at Sandown.

“It’s fantastic, I’m delighted Danny did it,” Mullins said. Macdermott raced closely behind longtime leader Mr Vango and took control four out, with the well-fancied Git Maker staying on for third. Mullins commanded the placings with Klarc Kent, Ontheropes, and Spanish Harlem finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth.

Macdermott secured Ireland’s first win in the Ayr showpiece since 1869 and became the first six-year-old to triumph in 30 years, following in the footsteps of Earth Summit in 1994. Danny Mullins, the winning jockey, shared, “He has had his jumping issues, but I think even the fall that day has taught him to be efficient. There were a few mistakes on the way round today, but I got a fantastic jump over the fourth and third last, and he was good and tough when I needed him at the back of the last.”

Mullins also commented on the trainers’ title race, adding, “The Skeltons are true battlers, and they’ll be coming at us all next week.”