Friday 11th April 2025
1.30 Ayr: Slater Menswear Handicap Hurdle: I’ve got several selections on the opening day of the Scottish Grand National Meeting at Ayr the first of which comes up in the 1.30 which is a Class 3 handicap hurdle that’s contested over two miles. I like Liari here for the team of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He was progressive last season having won back-to-back Listed contests, and whilst he’s not quite reached the same heights this term he’s dropped back down to a mark which is a pound lower than his last winning one. He’s been given a break with his last outing coming at Taunton back in February and this meeting has perhaps been his target. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go very close. Liari – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2.40 Ayr: Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle: My second selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.40 and this is another competitive Class 3 handicap hurdle, this time contested over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Ace Of Spades in this for Dan & Harry Skelton. He won back-to-back races within maiden and novice company throughout the winter before finishing a staying on fourth of ten in a competitive Class 2 handicap at Kelso at the beginning of last month. His run that day gave the impression that this step up in trip could unlock further improvement and he should progress further given that was his handicap debut. Ace Of Spades – 3/1 (Win)
3.15 Ayr: Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase: Next up for me will be the 3.15 and we go over the larger obstacles now with a Class 2 handicap chase over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’ve come down on Leader In The Park here who represents Ben Pauling and is ridden by Ben Jones. He’s progressed over fences this term whilst only having the four starts, winning two of those four outings and he was third behind today’s market leader Walk On Quest when last seen at Kelso last month. He’s slightly better off at the weights with that rival now and should come into the race fresher having been off the track since. He should still have more to offer within this sphere and can go well off the same mark as his most recent outing. Leader In The Park – 11/2 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several Firms)
4.25 Ayr: Coral Handicap Hurdle: My fourth selection comes in the 4.25 and this is a Class 2 handicap hurdle ridden over a distance of two miles and five and a half furlongs. I’ve sided with Florida Dreams here for Nicky Richards and Danny McMenamin. Things haven’t quite gone to plan for him this season as he’s been tried in several competitive handicap contests throughout the campaign. However, as a result, he’s now dropped down to a mark two pounds below his last winning one. I also think that this step up in trip could see him return to form, as he’s been outpaced over two miles on a few occasions this term. He’s also got course form and I think he can go well off a mark of 123. Florida Dreams – 5/1 (Each-Way)
4.45 Newbury: Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap: I’ve got one selection from Newbury on the day and this comes within the 4.45 which is a Class 2 handicap over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here in An Outlaw’s Grace for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey. He was a promising two-year-old and ran well in Group 2 company at Chantilly last summer when finishing fourth and a length and three-quarters behind the winner, as well as running a solid race in the valuable Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes at York when finishing sixth of twenty. He’s since been gelded over the summer and will contest handicap company off a mark of 91, which could prove lenient. He won first time out last term and could outrun his big price here. An Outlaw’s Grace – 14/1 (Each-Way)
