Scottish Grand National: Flashback: Oliver’s last Strand in big race

MERIGO ended a long wait for a home National winner in 2010 when Andrew Parker’s charge became the first Scottish-trained winner of the big race since Cockle Strand in 1982.

Cockle Strand’s win 30 years ago came in an era when Scots consistently challenged for the big prize at Ayr and was significant for being the last of six Scottish National wins for the great Hawick trainer Ken Oliver.

Oliver’s first win in the race came when he was a jockey on Sanvina in 1950, when it was run at Bogside, then Pappageno’s Cottage as a trainer at the same venue. When the National moved to its present home at Ayr, he also saddled The Spaniard (1970), Young Ash Leaf (1971), Fighting Fit (1979) and Cockle Strand to victory.

Of Cockle Strand’s triumph, The Scotsman reported at the time: “David Dutton, who achieved the biggest success of his career, settled his mount down in the early stages. With three fences to jump, Cockle Strand cruised into the lead.

“Jonjo O’Neill partnered the runner-up Three To One, completing a 1-2 in the race for Oliver, who trains Cockle Strand for Col David Greig, joint-chairman of the Ayr Western Meeting.

“Only nine of the 15 runners completed the course. Living Words, heavily backed from 7-1 to 7-2 favourite, trailed in last.”