Oh Gord – it’s history in the making

Trainer Gordon Elliott will aim for a hat trick of Grand National victories this weekend when he hopes to have two runners in the £ 215,000 Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse, writes Iain Ferguson.

Gordon, who won the Irish Grand National with General Principle and then followed up with Tiger Roll triumphing in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, could run Fagan, owned by Scottish businessman Ronnie Bartlett, and Folsom Blue in the Ayr race.

If one of these two horses wins the race the trainer will became the first person ever to hold the three National titles at the same time.

History could also be made in the race if Vicente, winner in 2016 and 2017, were to land this year’s renewal and become the first horse in 105 years to achieve three wins on the bounce.

Trevor Hemmings who owns Vicente will also see his colours carried by the Sue Smith- trained Vintage Clouds.

Nigel Twiston- Davies, who has trained the winner of the race three times with Captain Dibble ( 1992), Earth Summit ( 1994) and Hello Bud ( 2009), has several remaining entries – last year’s second and third Cogry and Benbens and Ballyoptic.

Paul Nicholls, who has also been successful in the race three times - Belmont King ( 1997) and Vicente ( 2016 & 2017) - has Silsol entered in addition to Vicente.

The declarations for the race will be announced shortly after 10am on Thursday.

• Saturday is sold out but tickets remain for Friday.