Coral Scottish Grand National Festival

Friday 20th - Saturday 21st April

Friday 20th April

Scotland's biggest and best jumps festival comes under starter's orders with the Opening Day featuring seven top races providing quality National Hunt racing at its very best.

The feature race of the afternoon is the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs which always provides a great spectacle and a superb highlight for the afternoon. Last year's winner was Watch My Back from the Ferdy Murphy yard ridden by his stable jockey Graham Lee.

The Coral Backing Poppyscotland Mares Handicap Hurdle over three miles is another intriguing contest usually attracting a large field and there is also a juvenile hurdle over the minimum 2 mile trip.

In short a tremendous afternoon's sport and the fun doesn't end after racing.

The Human League Live

Iconic 80s band The Human League will play live after racing!

The band comprise Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley and they will play a full concert in the Ayrshire Suite.

Human League are best known for the 2 million selling single 'Don't You Want Me' which reached Number 1 at Christmas 1981 and contains the classic line 'You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar.' In total the band have worldwide record sales in excess of 20 million.

Their most recent album Credo was released to critical acclaim last March and in addition to appearing at Retro Fests and 80s concerts The Human League continue to tour and the Ayr gig is sure to attract a large crowd.

Ayr Racecourse Sales and Marketing Manager Lindsey Smith commented : "We are looking forward to welcoming The Human League to the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival.

"Their hits are instantly recognisable and they are still touring all over the world and are a very popular live act - I'm sure this will be a night to remember."

Call us on 01292 264179 to book or book online below.

Saturday 21st April

The jewel in the crown of jumps racing in Scotland - a fantastic afternoon's sport with the very top horses and jockeys competing for some serious prizemoney.

The centrepiece of the day - and of the entire jumps season in Scotland is the Coral Scottish Grand National generally recognised as one of the best races of its kind.

Competing for a prize fund of £180,000 up to 30 runners will compete over the 4 mile course and in recent years winners have included Grey Abbey, Joe's Edge, Hot Weld, Hello Bud, Merigo and last year's victor Beshaber from the Tim Vaughan stable.

Crowds of up to 18,000 descend on the track and the excitement is at fever pitch throughout the day.

The main supporting race is the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle over two miles which always attracts a healthy number of quality horses from the UK and Ireland.

Other highlights include The Arcadia Consulting William Dickie & Mary Robertson Future Champion Novices' Chase over two miles four furlongs which opens the card and The Scotty Brand Handicap Chase over two miles.

The final race of the afternoon is the National Hunt Flat Race or 'bumper'.