Intro:

Merigo clinched his second Scottish Grand National in three years after a tense finish in the Scottish Grand National.

Script:

Sir Alex Ferguson gave Ruby Walsh a few tips before the champion jockey rode the Manchester United manager's horse, Harry the Viking, in the Scottish Gran National on Saturday.

But it was Merigo, ridden by Timmy Murphy, who was the favourite in Ayr.

With two fences to jump Merigo and Auroras Encore broke free, racing neck and neck to the post.

After finishing second last year, Merigo has a good record in the Scottish National and the 11-year-old had the endurance to maintain that form, clinching victory by a head.

Merigo becomes the first horse since Androma in 1985 to win the contest twice following victory in 2010.

King Fontaine was 15 lengths behind in third whilst Ferguson's Harry the Viking was pulled up.

However, there was a slight sting in the tail for Merigo's jockey Murphy as he was banned for four days for using his whip above the permitted limit.