Christian Williams goes in search of a major prize once again this weekend as he saddles the top two in the betting for the Scottish Grand National.
The Glamorgan-based handler, who landed the Coral Trophy and Eider Handicap Chase on the same day earlier this year, is targeting Kitty's Light and Win My Wings at the Ayr showpiece. Former jockey Williams is already a National-winning trainer thanks to the 2019 success of Potters Corner in the Welsh version.
He appears to have two of his highest-rated chasers primed to run huge races in Saturday's contest, unusually held a week earlier than Aintree's Grand National this year. Kitty's Light heads Betfred's Scottish Grand National market, while Eider Chase hero Win My Wings is second favourite for his bid to add a second major prize to this season's haul.
Scottish Grand National runners
The big race line-up and best odds, correct at the time of publication on March 31.
1 Hill Sixteen 20-1
2 Vintage Clouds 33-1
3 Kitty's Light 5-1
4 Fantastikas 12-1
5 Fidux 40-1
6 Jersey Bean 18-1
7 Win My Wings 15-2
8 Ashtown Lad 12-1
9 The Wolf 12-1
10 Streets Of Doyen 28-1
11 Stormy Judge 10-1
12 Via Dolorosa 25-1
13 Prime Venture 33-1
14 Chirico Vallis 25-1
15 Innisfree Lad 18-1
16 One More Fleurie 28-1
17 Major Dundee 12-1
18 History Of Fashion 14-1
19 Court Master 20-1
20 Ask A Honey Bee 20-1
21 The Ferry Master 10-1
22 El Paso Wood 50-1
23 Cool Mix 14-1
24 Strong Economy 50-1
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Verdict
Win My Wings appears to have an awful lot going for him as an out-and-out stayer that handles any ground. He has been hiked up to a career-high mark of 140 since his Eider win so he'll need to be in the form of his life to follow up.
His stablemate Kitty's Light is an honest performer and shaped well behind one of the yard's other top horses Cap Du Nord at Kempton last time. The £150,000 race, sponsored by Coral, looks particularly competitive this year and the shortest-priced Irish runner is Leinster National fifth Stormy Judge.
He appeared to need the run a little on that occasion and is interesting as he is unexposed for races like this, however he does have to prove he can reproduce his best form on decent ground. Ashtown Lad's Wetherby form took a major boost when the winner, Ahoy Senor, ran such a big race in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and Dan Skelton's lightly-raced charge heads to Ayr a relatively fresh horse. He has more potential to improve past his current mark than most of his rivals.
The Wolf doesn't have the best strike-rate (three wins from 21 starts under Rules) but he has posted two cracking efforts in defeat in strong staying handicap chases this year and he's a live player, as is Fantastikas, who lacked the finishing kick of the principals in the Ultima at Cheltenham.
The Ferry Master is 5lb lower than when he was a decent fourth last year and his defeat in a muddling race last time did not show him in his best light. A more patient ride could see him involved, however the tentative vote goes to MAJOR DUNDEE . A strong stayer with a win at Chepstow to his name over nearly three miles, he has had just three starts over fences.
The winner of two of them, he chased home an in-form horse last time when he had to be switched late on. The third has boosted the form plus his trainer's horses are hitting form at the right time.
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