Feature racing in the UK today is at Ayr Racecourse, Scotland’s Premier Racecourse, home to the Scottish Grand National.
This year sees the Gr3 Coral Scottish Grand National run before the Aintree version next week.
A total of 24 runners go to the post in a competitive running of the marathon contest over 4 miles. The track conditions are forecasted to be good to soft.
The Christian Williams trained Kitty’s Light is the 5/1 favourite, and this eight-year-old is a sound jumper who goes on any ground. He ran well at Kempton most recently when running on for second and should be involved in the finish.
The Skelton yard are rolling out the winners at present and Ashtown Lad represents the stable. A drop-in class from graded company to handicaps will help, and he will likely race in a handy position. Champion jockey Harry Skelton rides and at around 10/1 must have a realistic each-way chance.
Stormy Judge raids from Ireland for trainer Pat Fahy with the Danny Mullins aboard. Lightly campaigned this season, he ran a creditable fifth in the Leinster National back at Naas earlier this month. He will appreciate the better ground here and must be included in calculations.
Earlier on the card at 14h50, Dusart should be the one to beat in the CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase. The in-form Nicky Henderson trained runner does have top weight but was an impressive eleven length winner at Exeter before not disgraced in the Gr1 Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham behind L’Homme Presse.
West Cork must be respected in the Gr2 Coral Scottish Hurdle (15h25). This eight-year-old won the Greatwood Hurdle in November, a race that has worked out superbly. His last start was at the Cheltenham Festival two weeks ago when a fine staying on fourth to the potentially top-class State Man in the Gr3 County Hurdle Handicap. Jockey Harry Skelton held him up, tracking the winner throughout the race. He was unable to go with that rival but was only just over five-lengths back and now takes on weaker.
Barrichello has kept good form this season for Donald McCain and champion jockey elect Brian Hughes. With the stable enjoying a 33% winning strike rate over the last fortnight he looks the biggest threat to the favourite with course and distance winner Alqamar not out of it at the weights.
16h00 sees the running of the Gr2 Champion Novices’ Chase over an extended two and a half miles. Only five go to post and all the runners are quoted at single figures.
Minella Drama is the marginal favourite for the McCain/Hughes partnership and looks the horse to beat, but after a disappointing last start the top weight is opposed with the Michael Scudamore trained Do Your Job.
The selection gets 5lbs from the favourite and is a course winner. The eight-year-old ran a fine second to Gr1 winner Edwardstone at Kempton in December and won a good race at Newcastle on his last start.
