A horse previously excluded from the Grand National due to past misbehavior will seek redemption in the upcoming Scottish Grand National at Ayr this Saturday.
Last year, Mr Incredible, ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins, abruptly stopped before the first fence in the race, following his participation in the Grand National a week prior. Since then, under trainer Sandy Thomson, Mr Incredible demonstrated reluctance in races at Wetherby and Kelso, prompting a review by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Thomson, based in Lamden, Berwicks, enlisted an equine therapist to assist Mr Incredible, who had notable finishes in races like the Midlands National and Warwick’s Classic Chase. Despite being barred from the Aintree event by BHA experts, Thomson confirmed Mr Incredible’s entry in the Ayr race.
Carrying the top weight of 12st, Mr Incredible has not completed a race since Uttoxeter last March. Unlike the Grand National, the Scottish Grand National does not require a pre-race suitability review for participating horses.
The BHA highlighted the unique challenges of the Grand National’s course, which necessitate a thorough assessment of each horse’s readiness by the National Fence Review Panel. In contrast, the Scottish Grand National at Ayr presents different obstacles, notably at the starting line, which differs from Aintree’s standing start arrangement in front of grandstands.