Our two ante-post choices for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday have stood their ground but it doesn’t look like Tony McCoy will get a ride in the race. The champion jockey had been booked to ride the soft ground specialist Benvolio but Paul Nicholls pulled him out with conditions having gone against him.
Al Co will need better luck than he experienced at Aintree last week when unseating his rider at the first fence. In-form Peter Bowen is confident that he has suffered no ill-effects after he continued to jump a further eight fences without his rider. He is only marginally higher in the weights than when successful last year and will love the ground. Harry The Viking has done nothing wrong in his recent races and should finish in front of old rival Lie Forrit on this faster ground. It is difficult to be confident in such a huge field but both have each-way chances.
The Scottish Champion Hurdle is enjoying something of a revival since being turned into a handicap. It still has some classy entries including one-time Champion Hurdle prospects Irving, Calipto and Sign Of A Victory. All three have question marks against them after disappointing this season but Irish raider I Shot The Sheriff looks very well handicapped.
He landed a gamble at Fairyhouse at the Irish Grand National meeting and comes here under a 5lbs penalty. He is racing over three-quarters of a mile shorter on quicker ground but he likes to race up with the pace. Paul Townend should have him handy and try to make it a decent gallop and he may still take some catching.
The Future Champion Novices’ Chase at 2.00 has a smaller field but also looks tricky. Fine Rightly has been winning in softer ground in Ireland while Oscar Rock has improved since blinkers were applied. Top Gamble ran too freely last time out and should do better but I’m inclined to side with the tough and consistent Seventh Sky. He does not know how to run a bad race and should give us a run for our money.
Seventh Sky 2.00 @11-2 Totesport
I Shot The Sheriff 2.35 @5-1 Totesport
Al Co 3.45 @14-1 Totesport (each-way)
Harry The Viking 3.45 @28-1 Stan James (each-way)
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
