Scudamore says Grand Chieftain has a big chance in the Coral Scottish Grand National

David runs Top Wood in the Coral Scottish Grand National tomorrow at Ayr. He’s a lively outsider. He’s not the most consistent but he’s an in and out performer. He was running a good race when he came to grief in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. He’s got to bounce back from a disappointing run last time at Kelso. You can find bits and pieces in his form that would give him a chance but in all honestly he has a lot do if he is to win it.

It’s a really competitive renewal of the race this year. The likes of Cause of Causes and Alvarado who couldn’t get into the Grand National at Aintree are increasing the quality of the race which is fantastic. It’s always been a very good race but it’s getting more competitive and harder to win with each passing year.

If I’d have been able to ride, I would have had the choice between Top Wood and Golden Chieftain. If he would have stood up at the last fence, Golden Chieftain would have won the Midlands Grand National last time. I think he has a big chance tomorrow if he can reproduce that form. It’s a wide open race though.

With the recent Gigginstown record in these staying races, they surely can’t do the hat-trick, can they? It would be an amazing achievement if they did.

Paul Nicholls runs two horses in the Scottish Champion Hurdle tomorrow, Some Plan and Connetable. He’ll be desperate to try and get as much prize money on the board as possible in his pursuit of the Trainers’ Championship where he is currently second behind Willie Mullins. With only a week left in the season now, Paul has to really win these big races. He’ll be throwing plenty at it.

I am not sure I agree with the way the Trainers’ Championship is won. The Jockeys’ Championship is done on numbers and not prize money. I believe the Championships should determine the whole thing, week in and week out. It should all be about consistency. The Champion Trainer should be the one who has been the most consistent and it should not matter if they are a training a winner at Cheltenham or Ffos Las.