Git Maker primed for Scottish Grand National glory as Jamie Snowden eyes career best in Ayr showpiece

Jamie Snowden believes Git Maker can hoist him to yet another career best.

The eight-year-old heads to Ayr for Saturday's showpiece Coral Scottish Grand National with a chance to raise the bar again for his popular trainer. Snowden is on course to top his biggest prize-money haul for a campaign with Git Maker a genuine contender to burst him through the previous high mark.

The gelding ran a brilliant race to be second at the Cheltenham Festival behind runaway winner Inothewayurthinkin in the Kim Muir. Beaten just eight lengths, the noteworthy nature of Git Maker’s display was underlined when Inothewayurthinkin surged to a Grade 1 victory at Aintree seven days ago to rocket firmly into the picture for next year’s Gold Cup.

Snowden feels that’s proof his own charge has strong credentials for Ayr. And, as the likes of Willie Mullins, Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls chase the £200,000 pot in their quest for the UK trainer’s title, Git Maker’s handler can pass his own milestone by getting his hands on some of the big-race prize fund.

Snowden said: “I’m very pleased. Every season over the past five or so has always been an improvement on the year before and I think we are £15,000 shy of a career-best yet again. So it’s been a great season. Going through the mark at Ayr on Saturday would be a great way to complete it. Git Maker appears a thorough stayer and has run very well over three miles and three-miles-two.”

Snowden’s challenger has won six of his 11 starts under rules and he continued: “He has been wonderful and not too many horses can boast that type of strike-rate.

“The Kim Muir was a cracking effort. We were 18 lengths clear of the third horse and the winner has come out and won a Grade 1 since. Git Maker has come out of