Sean Quinlan sets sights on Scottish Grand National glory with Vintage Clouds as he gears up for Ayr

Sean Quinlan has savoured the extreme high of Coral Scottish Grand National glory.

Now the door has opened for the popular Irishman to have another crack at big-race success in 2022.

Quinlan enjoyed a career highlight in 2019 when landing the showpiece event aboard Takingrisks for handler Nicky Richards.

After Covid claimed the 2020 staging of the event, he returned to go close on The Ferry Master 12 months ago when finishing fourth.

Trainer Sandy Thomson’s charge is again entered, but will be ridden by Ryan Mania.

However, having been unsure about his prospects of a mount in the big one at the beginning of this week, Quinlan is now set to partner Vintage Clouds.

The pilot will don the famous colours of the late Trevor Hemmings for trainer Sue Smith, who, ironically, was sixth in the year Takingrisks triumphed.

Now aged 12, Vintage Clouds has won an Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival during a terrific career.

Quinlan will also have opportunities within the other 14 races at the meeting over Friday and Saturday and believes another hefty entry from the powerful southern yards such as Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton proves the growth of the event.

He said: “I had a great day there with Takingrisks and I thought the same was going to happen last year on The Ferry Master.

“He travelled well into the race and we probably hit the front a bit too soon. It’s always a fantastic race and, overall, it’s a great meeting.

“I would say for the lads based up north, it’s like a Cheltenham or an Aintree for some.

“To get on that Roll of Honour and win the Scottish Grand National is something special and something that you can never have taken away from you.

“There are so many southern-based yards who now head for it and that just goes