Corach Rambler’s impressive success in the Grand National at Aintree a week ago is fresh in the memory and both Your Own Story, a stablemate at the Lucinda Russell yard, and Monbeg Genius, a close third behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham in March, are likely to attract support for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday as a result.
Both have decent claims on the book but not, perhaps, quite the chance that their current odds might suggest. Monbeg Genius is up another 5lb in the weights after a hard race at the Festival, while Your Own Story is 1lb out of the handicap and also had a tough race last time, a week on from Monbeg Genius’s brave effort at Cheltenham.
Gavin Cromwell saddled Vanillier to be a fast-finishing second to Corach Rambler at Aintree and his mare Malina Girl should be in the mix on the form of her win on heavy ground at Downpatrick last time, but she has had even less time to recover and runs off a 9lb higher mark.
That may leave last year’s renewal of Saturday’s race, in which Christian Williams saddled the 1-2, as the most significant piece of form on offer.
The well-handicapped Win My Wings was a convincing winner 12 months ago, but her stable companion, Kitty’s Light (3.35), was five lengths clear of the third horse home and he runs off a 3lb lower mark this time around.
The seven-year-old has been kept fresh for Saturday’s race after landing a gamble with something to spare in the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February, and is an appealing bet at around 5-1 to go one better than last season.
Ayr 1.15 A 128-day break seemed to catch up with Frere D’Armes in the closing stages at Ascot earlier this month but he looked more than capable of following up his convincing win in November for much of the way and runs off the same mark here.
Newbury 1.30 A high-class renewal of the John Porter in which Hurricane Lane can repeat his two-and-three-quarter length defeat of Mojo Star in the 2021 St Leger.
Ayr 1.50 Sail Away has a similar profile to his stable companion in the opener after a good run back from a break last time out and this step back up to three miles looks ideal.
Newbury 2.05 There has been money for Remarquee in the 1,000 Guineas betting in recent days and Ralph Beckett’s filly can follow up a deeply impressive debut win at Salisbury in September.
Ayr 2.25 A hood helped Rubaud to settle when successful at Kempton last time and he could well build on that on just his seventh start over hurdles.
Newbury 2.40 Chaldean, last season’s Dewhurst winner, has plenty in hand on that form and should make a successful return on his way to the 2,000 Guineas on 6 May.
Thirsk 12.55 Sergeant Wilko 1.25 Old Smoke 2.00 Democracy Dilemma 2.35 Heathen 3.10 Spycatcher 3.45 Shallow Hal 4.15 Cold Star 4.50 Hilary’s Boy
Bangor-On-Dee 1.05 No But I Will 1.40 Madiba Passion 2.15 Vandemere 2.50 Storm Tiger 3.25 Nothingtochance 4.00 Zestful Hope 4.30 Josh The Boss 5.05 Lightningupourdays
Ayr 1.15 Frere D’Armes 1.50 Sail Away 2.25 Rubaud 3.00 Balco Coastal 3.35 Kitty’s Light (nb) 4.10 Serious Operator 4.45 Castletown 5.20 Whosmydaddy
Newbury 1.30 Hurricane Lane 2.05 Remarquee 2.40 Chaldean 3.15 Galiac (nap) 3.50 Cracksking 4.20 Astrodome 4.55 Mustazeed
Brighton 4.40 Coronation Cottage 5.15 Revenue 5.45 Rivas Rob Roy 6.15 Moutbatten 6.45 Junoesque 7.15 Ardbraccan 7.45 Damascus Finish
Nottingham 5.25 Zoom Star 6.00 Alfa Whiteburd 6.30 Just A Spark 7.00 Nine Elms 7.30 Rogue Lion 8.00 Obama Army
Ayr 3.00 The Turners Novice Chase at the Festival was a step too far for Balco Coastal last time, but he has several pounds in hand of this field on his form behind Gerri Colombe at Sandown in February.
Newbury 3.15 A typically competitive Spring Cup, but Galiac could go well at around 16-1. He won first time up last season, remains unexposed over this trip and George Bass takes off a handy 3lb.
