Patrick Mullins expects today’s Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr to be “pivotal” as the race to be crowned British champion trainer enters its final throws.

Ferdy Murphy’s day at Ayr started on a sour note when Percutant was one of two horses to be fatally injured in the opening race, but Elzahann’s success in the Coral Backing Poppyscotland Mares’ Handicap Hurdle helped lift the stable’s spirits ahead of the Coral Scottish Grand National.

The Paul Nicholls-Ruby Walsh dream team shows no signs whatsoever of grinding to halt as the season draws to a close and the pair dominated the first day of the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr.

Everything fell into place for Supreme Prince as he gained his first success of the season under a fine ride from Richard Johnson in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr.