Every Scottish Grand National winner leaves a profile. The profile of the previous year's winner is the most immediate template available for the following year's race. Captain Cody won the 2025 Scottish Grand National for Willie Mullins, ridden by Harry Cobden. He then ran in this year's Grand National at Aintree last Saturday. Here is what his 2025 profile tells us about Saturday's 2026 renewal.
Captain Cody's 2025 Profile
Captain Cody was eight years old when he won at Ayr in 2025. He was trained by Willie Mullins — who had also won in 2024 with Macdermott. He was ridden by Harry Cobden and led home Klarc Kent for a Closutton one-two. He was available at 9/1 on race day. He was not the favourite.
His age — eight — sits precisely in the middle of the most productive age range for this race. Eighteen of the last 22 winners were aged eight or older. Fourteen were aged between eight and ten. Captain Cody represents the template at its most exact.
What This Tells Us About 2026
King Of Answers is seven — one year younger than the optimal profile. He is the market co-favourite but his age works against the historical pattern. The horses aged eight and over in Saturday's field include Blaze The Way (8), Isaac Des Obeaux (8) and several in the middle market. Age alignment with the historical winning profile is an underappreciated filter that consistently narrows the field.
Captain Cody was not carrying a heavy weight — he was available within a manageable range that kept him competitive across four miles. The horses closest to that weight profile in 2026 are those carrying 10st 13lb to 11st 4lb. Kim Roque at 10st 13lb fits that range most precisely.
Mullins's Hat-Trick Attempt
Mullins won in 2024 and 2025. He runs Road To Home as his sole entry in 2026. Captain Cody's win last year gave Mullins back-to-back Scottish Nationals following Macdermott in 2024. Road To Home is the vehicle for a third consecutive win. No trainer has won three in a row in the modern era at Ayr. That would be a significant record.
The Bigger Pattern
Looking at both recent Scottish National winners together: Macdermott (2024) and Captain Cody (2025) were both Mullins-trained, both aged in the optimal range, both available at bigger than 7/1 on race day. Both times the market was wrong about the winner. The 2026 favourite has not won since 2021. The pattern continues to point away from the market leader.
Horse Racing Oracle AI's Scottish National selection goes live Thursday. Sign up free at horseracingoracleai.com
Betting involves risk. Please gamble responsibly. Visit BeGambleAware.org.