The ITV7 returns for Scottish Grand National day on Saturday. Across all seven races, here are GG’s picks for this weekend’s first competition, with £50,000 on offer.
Race 1 – 1.43pm Ayr – CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase
The first charge of Willie Mullins’ assault at the British trainers’ championship is Loughglynn, but he may have to wait a bit longer for the first winner given the ground and choices of the handicapper. Instead, the prize may stay at home with WHISTLE STOP TOUR. The seven-year-old ended up as the second choice behind impressive stablemate Myretown at Cheltenham, but he was Derek Fox’s mount and suffered bad interference at the very first fence, never travelling thereafter. Outwardly, he was the stable number one and was improving up until Cheltenham, so could easily get back on track over a course and distance he won over in January.
Race 2 – 2.00pm Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Group 3)
This is a wide open 1000 Guineas trial and provided the winner, albeit in third place, 12 months ago. Simmering and Mountain Breeze bring the best form from their juvenile days, but so many have potential to improve up to their level and BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD represents the winning trainer in 2023. The Lope De Vega filly is related to six half-siblings, five of whom have achieved RPRs of 90+, while she was well-backed to win bountifully on debut at Newmarket. The form has not been given much of a runout, but the third filled that position but closer next time out, while the sixth won, so she may well be a filly of serious talent.
Race 3 – 2.15pm Ayr – Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle
Until Bunting settles, he is a risky proposition, for all he probably has enough talent to defy this handicap mark. Stablemate ETHICAL DIAMOND has no such behavioural issues, finishing a close fourth in the County Hurdle from the rear. He has been bumped up an extra 1lb in the handicap, but looks a young horse who is firmly on the up for a trainer who will be throwing everything at getting wins this weekend.
Race 4 – 2.35pm Newbury – Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3)
He is a big price, but DIABLO ROJO looks underrated for one poor run, and even that effort came in one of the strongest juvenile races of the season. The son of Pinatubo won easily on debut at Redcar, then finished sixth in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes behind Derby favourite The Lion In Winter. He was keen and wide round the brief Knavesmire bend that day, but still finished mid division, then returned with a narrow win on the all-weather that should set him up for a bold enough tilt here.
Race 5 – 2.55pm Ayr – UK Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Another Mullins victory could easily be on the horizon with ARMED AND FABULOUS on her handicap debut. She was down the field in three maidens in late 2023, unusual for a Willie Mullins inmate, but came back from 452 days off to win on the quickest ground she had faced at Newcastle in February. She was fourth in a mares’ bumper over 2m4f two years ago, so this looks a long overdue step up in trip to 3m, which could suit her far better, and you don’t often get to back a Closutton runner off such a low British handicap mark.
Race 6 – 3.12pm Newbury – OLBG Spring Cup Handicap
Last year’s winner METAL MERCHANT is 6lb higher in the handicap, but demonstrated how well he goes fresh when scoring by half-a-length a year ago. That came over recent Lincoln winner Godwinson, so being able to beat that horse first time out marks him as one to follow on his seasonal debut this year. He broadly maintained his form last season too, finishing second over course and distance, as well as an unlucky seventh in the Royal Hunt Cup when he probably wasn’t the best drawn. Jack Channon’s charge should make a bold defence.
Race 7 – 3.35pm Ayr – Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase
Lots of potential chances in Ayr’s marathon showpiece, but though bottomweight BRANDT is 4lb out of the handicap even on his British mark, Cian Collins’ charge looks like a horse coming good at the right time. He won the Dublin National at Leopardstown last time by doing all of his best work late. He is upped to 4m here, but that looks set to suit him even better and his trainer has won with five of his 20 runners on these shores this season, including with Jazzy Matty at the Cheltenham Festival. He may have been well targeted.
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