Merigo wins Scottish National

Merigo ran his rivals into the ground to land a local success in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Trained by Andrew Parker at Lockerbie, the nine-year-old was always prominent and a fantastic round of jumping saw him coast home a nine-length winner in the hands of Timmy Murphy.

Merigo was left towards the head of affairs after the pace-setting According To John crashed out at the fourth fence, taking a couple of others, including That’s Rhythm, with him.

Killyglen was left at the head of affairs, but Murphy was tracking his every move aboard the 18-1 shot and pushed to the front some way out.

Razor Royale went along with him, but Merigo was travelling by far the strongest down the back and the result barely looked in doubt on the turn for home.

Gone To Lunch, the 15-2 favourite, tried his best to make up the ground but Merigo had already flown and Jeremy Scott’s charge had to settle for the runner-up spot for a second successive year.

No Panic stayed on for third, with Razor Royale sneaking into the places in fourth.