Tag Archives: scottish grand national

Royale Ayr

We stay at Ayr today for two races including the Scottish Grand National. The going remains Good to Soft/Good in places with the ground slightly drying as the day progresses.

3.20 Ayr 1m7½f Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)

 Tight betting heat with little unanimity between the odds compilers.

Romain De Senam enjoys a weight pull with a few of today’s rivals on recent Aintree form.

Conditions suit and I will be surprised if he doesn’t run close. 6/1 fav my provisional tissue and 7/1 generally with the books.

Paul Nicholls with Romain De Senam

3.55 4m Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) (5yo+)

30 declared for the final major national of the season following the Aintree and Fairyhouse nationals in recent weeks.

Southfield Royale is expected to run a big race. Although he has shown no form in two starts this season, he was fancied to go close in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, but fell before half-way.

He is well handicapped on last season’s form, with connections believing he retains all of that ability. Best priced 11/1 this morning, which seems reasonable

Southfield Royale

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Top value

Two races for us today at Ayr where the ground is Good to Soft.

 1.50 Ayr Weatherbys Private Bank Novices´ Limited Handicap Chase (CLASS 2)

Very open contest, where it’s possible to make a case for all seven runners.

At current odds Top Billing is the pick for me. Ran well on his return to fences at Carlisle and will appreciate this step up to 3m. Is fairly handicapped and expected to go well.

Top weight and favourite Vivaldi Collonges looks the main threat. Has past winning form over course and distance.

I price the market leaders as follows:

Vivaldi  Collonges  7/2

Top Billing  9/2

One For Art  6/1

8/1 bar

4.10 Ayr Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (CLASS 1) (5yo+)

With a strong Irish challenge, impossible to price with confidence.

Plenty of focus will be on the Irish National fourth, Folsom Blue as trainer Mouse Morris attempts to land a unique national treble by winning the Grand National plus Irish and Scottish versions in the same season.

Home trained runners Seeyouatmidnight and Vicente are fairly handicapped and both will appreciate this stamina test. The pair are currently 18/1 and 22/1 respectively.

Jockeys 5lb claim could prove to be useful on Seeyouatmidnight.

 

 

Seeyouatmidnight
Seeyouatmidnight

 

After the abandonment of Newbury, we have three other turf meetings remaining today in Britain. The ground at all will be fairly testing. A lot of trainers will have entered their horses for today in the expectation that the ground would be far better. As we can see from the substantial number of non-runners, many have decided against taking their chances in unsuitable conditions.