SOME of the leading horses in the country are set to go head to head at Ayr Racecourse on Friday and Saturday for the 2015 Coral Scottish Grand National Festival which is shaping up to be one of the best ever.

In the feature race, the £210,000 Coral Scottish Grand National the Irish attempt to win it for the first time and sponsors Coral have installed Gallant Oscar, trained in County Meath by Tony Martin as the 10/1 favourite.

The horse ran third in a three mile one furlong handicap chase at Cheltenham to The Druid’s Nephew and if getting the longer trip at Ayr should be thereabouts.

There has been support for the Jonjo O’Neill trained Catching On winner of the Devon National at Exeter last month and he is currently available at 12/1 alongside Broadway Buffalo from the David Pipe yard and Indian Castle who is set to make the long trip from the Worcestershire yard of Ian Williams.

All eyes will be on AP McCoy, the legendary champion jockey who will be making his last ever appearance on a Scottish racecourse prior to retiring from the sport next week. AP’s likely mount is the Phillip Hobbs trained If In Doubt which pulled up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last Monday.

In addition to the Coral Scottish Grand National there is a mouth-watering array of races over the two days with the main supporting race on Saturday’s card, the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle which looks like having a stellar field befitting a race that carries £100,000 in prize-money.

Top weight is Irving from the Paul Nicholls yard, while other highly rated runners include the 2013 winner Court Minstrel from the Evan Williams stable, Jeremy Scott’s Melodic Rendezvous and Tim Easterby’s Hawk High.

The highlight of Friday’s card is the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase which this year has Listed status for the first and carries a healthy £40,000 prize fund while the Porcelanosa Scotland Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over two miles will be a competitive affair.

On Saturday in addition to the two previously mentioned races the other principal contests include the Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champions Novices Chase and The Scotty Brand Handicap Chase.

First race on Friday is The West Sound Novices’ Hurdle at 1.25 pm with the last race at 4.45 pm and on Saturday the opening race is at 1.25 pm with the action on course ending at 5.30 pm.

Four races on Saturday will be shown live on Channel 4.

Latest betting from Coral on the Coral Scottish Grand National: 10 Gallant Oscar 12 Broadway Buffalo, Catching On, Indian Castle 14 Cause Of Causes, Embracing Change, If In Doubt, Lie Forrit, The Last Samuri 16 Al Co, Balthazar King, Benvolio, Cogry, Godsmejudge, Milborough, Sego Success, Trustan Times 20 Hadrian’s Approach, Heathfield, Houblon Des Obeaux, No Secrets, On His Own, Perfect Gentleman, Rivage D’Or, Royale Knight, Sam Winner, Soll, The Package, Unioniste 25 Bar