WILLIE MULLINS became the first Irish trainer to win the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr when Danny Mullins-ridden Macdermott pipped Surrey Quest by a nose in a thrilling finish.

“I was convinced we were beaten so obviously I was delighted when the result of the photo was announced,” Mullins said.

“This is a lovely young horse and I’d say he would be an Aintree National contender for the future, maybe even as soon as next year.”

On a day when the Closutton maestro went a long way to securing the British trainers’ championship by taking his prize money haul to over £3 million, he saddled a magnificent four-timer with Sharjah in the opening leg giving him his first course victory.

It was also a maiden Ayr strike for Sharjah’s pilot Paul Townend, who went on to complete a treble on Mullins’ other winners Chosen Witness and Quai De Bourbon.

The Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle went to Favour And Fortune, trained by Lanarkshire-born Alan King who also won the Scottish National in 2013 with Godsmejudge.

And Lucinda Russell equalled last season’s record score of 71 for a Scottish trainer when Czech Her Out scored in the hands of Patrick Wadge, who looks sure to crowned champion conditional rider with just a week of the season remaining.