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WE ARE being spoilt for choice when it comes to Nationals, having witnessed the Irish version on April 1, the Grand National at Aintree last Saturday and the Scottish National this afternoon at Ayr.

As always the Scottish version has nowhere the class or strength in depth of the Liverpool event, but it is nonetheless a fascinating renewal to unravel particularly with the added dimension of the Willie Mullins’s factor as he chases the British Trainers’ Championship alongside Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton.

The Closutton Maestro has the current favourite in the very lightly raced Macdermott — set to race off a lovely weight of 10-07 which equates to a rating of just 137. Last time out the son of Saint Des Saints opened his chasing account at the fifth time of asking, when running away with a handicap chase at Fairyhouse to the tune of 12 lengths.