MANOTHEPEOPLE can grab victory in Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (3.35pm) at Ayr on Saturday afternoon.
Following the Scottish-trained winner Corach Rambler in last week’s Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse an English-based, Irish-born trainer Fergal O’Brien can land the Scottish version at Ayr.
With Dusart topping the weights a number of the field are running from out of the handicap. Manothepeople is not one of them and he is surely better than his current mark and gets in the race off a featherweight of 10st4lb. Having had just three chase starts, he is clearly open to more improvement and this step in trip looks ideal to bring out that. He was second to Bridge North at Newbury last time and he looks sure to stay this four-mile trip having won over three-miles-plus over hurdles and also scoring over 3m2f on his chase debut at Chepstow in October. The eight-year-old is yet to run in this type of big-field handicap, but if he takes to the unique challenge, he looks sure to add to his two victories over fences ahead of some more experienced rivals.
As with any Grand National, there are plenty of dangers who could also triumph. Last year’s runner-up Kitty’s Light won another long-distance contest with victory in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last time and is actually lower in the weights than for his fine second behind stable-mate Win My Wings. Christian Williams’ seven-year-old is sure to be in the firing line again. While Jonjo O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius – third behind Aintree hero Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap at last month’s Cheltenham Festival – clearly has the form and ability to go close. Nicky Richards’ Famous Bridge and Malina Girl – from the Gavin Cromwell stable who sent out Vanillier to finish second at Aintree last week – are others in with a chance. But a chance is taken that Manothepeople can just hold them all off to triumph.
Paul Nicholls’ RUBAUD can win the Grade Two Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.25pm).
The five-year-old has progressed well over hurdles this season, winning three times and finishing second at Kemptom over Christmas. His latest success in a similar Grade Two contest as this was particularly smart as he scored well from Mullenbeg. More improvement can be expected and he can get the better of chiefly Lorna Fowler’s Colonel Mustard.
Irish raider TELMESOMETHINGGIRL – for the Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore partnership – can take the Grade Two Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (3pm).
The eight-year-old – a winner at last year’s Cheltenham Festival over hurdles – has a victory and two second-placed finishes in three chase starts this season. She may be able to add another victory up in Scotland.
Dand Skelton’s FRERE D'ARMES can make it three wins from four starts over fences in the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (1.15pm). The six-year-old won at Kempton and Newbury before finishing second at Ascot last time. He can resume winning ways at Ayr.
Nicky Henderson’s course and distance winner CITY CHIEF can also bring up a hat-trick of victories in the CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.50pm).
Others who can score at Ayr are another from the Skelton stable, UTHRED, in the Tennent’s Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.10pm); dual Grand National-winning trainer Russell’s course and distance scorer CASTLETOWN in the Macklin Motors Toyota Coming To Ayr ‘Hands & Heels’ Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys/Amateurs) (4.45pm); and another Irish raider – the John McConnell-trained WHOSMYDADDY – in the finale, the Golf Inn Prestwick Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (5.20pm).
On the Flat at Newbury CHALDEAN can enhance his Classic claims with victory in the Group Three Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (2.40pm). Andrew Balding’s son of Frankel is among the market leaders for next month’s QIPCO 2,000 Guineas and he can book a return ticket to Newmarket with a fifth straight success on his seasonal return. Chaldean won the Dewhurst Stakes by a head from Royal Scotsman at Newmarket on his final start, and looks an exciting colt who should easily take this Group Three contest ahead of his Classic bid.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained BRIDESTONES can make it two wins from two starts in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (2.05pm). The Teofilo filly won her maiden at Yarmouth in October and looks to have plenty of ability and can take the step up to Group Three company in her stride, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, before potentially going on to bigger and better things. Buick may also win on the returning 2021 Irish Derby hero HURRICANE LANE in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (1.30pm).
Others who can win at Newbury are the Kevin De Foy-trained ALREHB in the Betgoodwin Spring Cup Handicap (3.15pm) and David Pipe’s MYRISTICA in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap (4.55pm).
Wright Ones
AYR
1.15pm Frere D’armes
1.50pm City Chief
2.25pm Rubaud
3pm Telmesomethinggirl
3.35pm 1 MANOTHEPEOPLE (NAP), 2 Monbeg Genuis, 3 Kitty’s Light, 4 Malina Girl
4.10pm Uthred
4.45pm Castletown
5.20pm Whosmydaddy
NEWBURY
1.30pm Hurricane Lane
2.05pm Bridestones
2.40pm Chaldean
3.15pm Alrehb
3.50pm Greatest Time
4.25pm Klondike
4.55pm Myristica
THIRSK
12.55pm Sergeant Wilko
1.25pm Old Smoke
2pm Sparkling Red
2.35pm Billy No Mates
3.10pm Mount Athos
3.45pm Claim The Stars
4.15pm After John
4.50pm Impressor
BANGOR-ON-DEE
1.05pm Sporting Mike
1.40pm Blueberry Wine
2.15pm Bravethewaves
2.50pm Chris Cool
3.25pm Spirit Of Regulus
4pm Blue Hawaii
4.30pm Josh The Boss
5.05pm Our Rosie
NOTTINGHAM
5.25pm Red Allure
6pm Alfa Whiteburd
6.30pm Just A Spark
7pm Diffident Spirit
7.30pm Hidden Story
8pm Red Fort
SUNDAY’S NAP: Northern Poet (Plumpton 3.30pm)
