Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Ayr and Newbury on Saturday. View selections below.
Joseph O’Brien came close to landing last Saturday’s Aintree Grand National with Jordans and KIM ROQUE (3.35) can put up a bold show in the Coral Scottish National at Ayr.
The six-year-old ran a solid staying-on fourth to Ask Brewster in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month and is fancied to make light of his potentially lenient 130 handicap mark.
Ask Brewster lines up here for Cath Williams, who took over the licence from her jailed husband Evan, while Road To Home, only a neck behind Ask Brewster at Cheltenham, bids to give Willie Mullins his third straight victory, with son Patrick in the saddle.
Emmet Mullins, who won the Irish Grand National with Soldier In Milan, saddles J’Arrive De L’Est, while well handicapped King Of Answers, runner-up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, carries the home hopes of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore.
Harry Cobden successful 12 months ago on Captain Cody, rides Ultima third Quebecois for Paul Nicholls and the Ultima form was franked by Iroko and Jagwar in the Grand National.
JP McManus bids for a quick National double and relies on Montregard, an Ascot winner in February.
TUTTI QUANTI (2.20) can overcome top weight in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.
The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding made no impact in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham but had earlier ploughed 15 lengths clear in the mud at Newbury.
Runner up Wellington Arch went on to score at Aintree last week and Tutti Quanti’s connections will be hoping for a drop of rain before flagfall.
Dan Skelton’s Tellherthename was noted making late gains from the rear of the pack in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and that outing may well have blown away the cobwebs.
Captain Hugo beat 16 rivals when pocketing the competitive Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso and a 6lb rise is fair.
Most firms are advertising four places ew in the 15-runner Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase and Dan Skelton’s Diamond Dealer, a Kelso winner four weeks ago, is the likely favourite.
At slightly bigger odds JUST OVER LAND (1.45) sticks out as a solid each-way investment. The Sam Thomas-trained gelding ran fourth to 154-rated Matata at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and a recent third at Sandown will ensure he is cherry-ripe for today’s task.
There is some classy Flat action at Newbury where CONVERGENT (2.35) is fancied to make a winning start to his 2026 campaign by conceding weight to his rivals in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes.
Kark Burke’s colt had re-opposing Al Aasy well held in fifth when successful at Leopardstown last September and went on to pip Dubai Honour in Group 2 company at Longchamp the following month.
Course specialists Al Aasy and Phantom Flight have had some rare old scraps here in the past and will serve it up to my selection.
The Spring Cup is a 26-runner cavalry charge down the straight mile, with some firms offering six places each-way. Urban Lion and Rogue Diplomat fought out a tremendous finish to the Lincoln at Doncaster three weeks ago and very little separates that pair. BACK IN BLACK (3.10) finished third, beaten a length by Rogue Diplomat, when they clashed at Donny last September and Back In Black is now 7lb better off with that rival.
Last year’s winner Ebt’s Guard improved throughout the season and despite now running off a 13lb higher perch, he could well figure.
Tally Ho
Alan
Check out all todays Horse Racing Results and claim free bets.
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
