The 2022 Scottish Grand National represented a return to near-normality, insofar as approximately 13,500 spectators were in attendance at Ayr on Saturday, April 2 to watch the four-mile marathon. However, the unusual timing of Easter meant that the race was brought forward two weeks and therefore, for once, took place before the Grand National proper, at Aintree a week later.
A total of 23 horses went to post, of which just nine completed the course. Indeed, the result of the race was overshadowed by the death of Jersey Bean, trained by Oliver Sherwood, who was fatally injured in a fall at the first open ditch, leading to the omission of that obstacle, and the following plain fence, on subsequent circuits.
According to the betting market, Ogmore-by-Sea trainer Christian Williams held a very strong hand, being responsible for two of the three 13/2 co-favourites, Kitty’s Light and Win My Wings, alongside Stormy Judge, trained by Pat Fahy in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. The latter was pulled up four fences from home, having gone lame, but the Williams-trained pair dominated not only the betting, but the race itself.
Having justified favouritism in the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle on his previous start in late February, Win My Wings made a mockery of an 8lb rise in the weights, cantering home by seven lengths to win as he pleased. In the hands of Irish amateur jockey Rob James, the nine-year-old was always travelling strongly and went clear, going easily, at the third-last fence. Stable companion Kitty’s Light, who was conceding 3lb, plus James’ 7lb claim, stayed on to finish second, but was no match for the winner. Indeed, Williams summed it up when he said, “It was some performance. I feel sorry for Kitty’s [Light], but nothing would have beaten her [Win My Wings] today, that’s how it looked to me.”