A stunning nine races will take place in front of the ITV Racing cameras on Saturday 12th April 2025, as there’s quality jumping action from Ayr, while Newbury will provide some competitive Flat racing. The feature race of the day is the Scottish Grand National at 3:35pm and we pick out our best bet for that contest, as well as our top tips from the live terrestrial action.
1:10pm Ayr – Scotty Brand Handicap Chase
Gavin Cromwell’s THE OTHER MOZZIE always found himself on the back foot in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, but the six-year-old still finished a creditable seventh place in what was a hugely competitive renewal. Looking to build on that effort here, the Irish raider lines up off the same mark of 138 in the opening race on Scottish Grand National day and looks the one to beat. He will need to be more prominent through the first half of the contest, but if he can hold a positive position through the early stages then he can put the pressure on in the second half of the contest and land victory in the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase at 1:10pm.
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2:15pm Ayr – Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle
Fourth in the County Hurdle, Ethical Diamond is well fancied to build on that effort and claim Scottish Champion Hurdle glory at Ayr on Saturday, but the Willie Mullins-trained top weight could be vulnerable in what is a red-hot renewal of the contest. The one that can down the Irish raider is KABRAL DU MATHAN, who lines up for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. Second on his last two outings, the five-year-old is still open to significant improvement over hurdles and after a fine Aintree the Ditcheat team can strike with this improving youngster.
3:12pm Newbury – OLBG Spring Cup Handicap
Ed Bethell’s JAMES MCHENRY was last seen finishing a fine runner-up in the Cambridgeshire Handicap and the five-year-old can kick off his campaign on a winning note with victory in the Spring Cup at 3:12pm. He’s been given a 3lbs rise by the handicap for that fine Newmarket run back in September, but he could prove to be more than good enough to land this prize off 95 and with William Buick in the saddle then he’s destined to run a huge race in a cracking betting heat on the level.
3:35pm Ayr – Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase
Willie Mullins will have a strong team heading north of the border as he looks to retain his Scottish Grand National crown and the likes of reigning champion Macdermott and the well-fancied Chosen Witness will be two of his leading contenders. However, the one to side with is CAPTAIN CODY, who was last seen unseating in the National Hunt at Cheltenham last month, but he’s one that could bounce back and land this prize. The seven-year-old is winless in four starts over fences, but he’s shown some ability this campaign and off a mark of 140 he could well be capable of landing this prize. With stamina looking one of his key attributes, he will be hoping to jump better, but Harry Cobden should be able to get him into a rhythm and then he can storm clear in the closing stages.
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