Vicente wins Scottish National as Nicholls goes ahead of Mullins

Vicente won a thrilling renewal of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr to put Paul Nicholls back on top in the race for the British trainers' championship.

Nicholls was trailing Willie Mullins by more than £110,000 before the start of play, but a treble, culminating in Vincente (14-1) landing the feature, has seen him regain the championship lead.

Mullins’s hopes of winning the big race for Ireland came to a premature end as Measureofmydreams crashed out in the early stages.

Then Folsom Blue, trained by Mouse Morris, who had won both the English and Irish Nationals, exited six out to end dreams of a historic hat-trick.

In the straight for the final time, it looked as though Seeyouatmidnight was going to strike for Scottish Borders trainer Sandy Thomson.

However, Vincente was brought with a perfectly-timed run to lead after jumping the last.

Alvarado (25-1) finished with a flourish to claim second place, two and three-quarters lengths behind the winner.

Seeyouatmidnight (14-1) was a head away in third with Royale Knight (20-1) fourth.

Winning jockey Sam Twiston-Davies told Channel 4 Racing: “It worked out really nicely. He travelled well and he was good when he needed to be and that’s what counts.

“It’s given Paul a real chance of getting the trainers’ championship. It’s what we all work hard for.”

Nicholls said: “That was a result. Brilliant ride, just we what we needed. It was perfect.”