Tom Stanley is here to give you the best bets for Scottish Grand National day at Ayr, as well as the best of the action from Newbury.
Good punting weekend this weekend. We lack top the top drawer action pre-Aintree but a Scottish Grand National serves up a solid betting treat and the supporting races are well contested too. Everyone has a play in each of the races…
15:35 Ayr – Scottish Grand National
Consensus here with a few shouts each for Fantastikas, Cool Mix and favourite Kitty’s Light. The case for the latter is an obvious one but the panel are keen to have him on side given his run last time and current mark. I thought last year’s fourth was worth a go off a lower weight this time around.
- Tom – The Ferry Master / Fidux
- Sam – Fantastikas / Kitty’s Light
- Steve – Fantastikas / Cool Mix (w/p)
- Deasy – Kittys Light (win), Cool Mix (w/p), The Wolf (w/p)
13:15 Ayr – Scotty Brand Handicap Chase
Can Sebastopol do it again? The panel don’t think so for all he was impressive last time. He’s just not consistent and looks very ground dependent so I’m a layer, particularly if he’s around the 3.0 mark of shorter. Steve and Deasy want to play Malystic against him.
- Tom – Lay Sebastopol
- Sam – Dubai Days (non-runner)
- Steve – Malystic
- Deasy – Malystic
13:35 Newbury – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
Following Deasy in here with Mot A Mot on first start for Sam Thomas off the back of a wind op. Steve thinks Rainyday Woman has more to offer off this mark whilst Sam makes a case for a couple win and place.
- Tom – Mot A Mot (w/p)
- Sam – Punctuation (non-runner) / Pearly Island (non-runner)
- Steve – Rainyday Woman
- Deasy – Mot A Mot (w/p)
13:50 Ayr – CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase
Deasy and Sam think Dusart is the one to beat dropping into a handicap. I’m a fan of his but something doesn’t convince me here and I’m more taken with the 8.0 about Doyen Breed. Sail Away (non-runner) has form with the favourite and Steve thinks he’s a more attractive betting proposition.
- Tom – Doyen Breed
- Sam – Dusart
- Steve – Sail Away (non-runner)
- Deasy – Dusart
14:10 Newbury – Conditional Jockeys’ Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Again I’m with Deasy here and First Fandango who gets on well with today’s rider and rarely runs a bad race. Steve is with Valadom win and place whilst Sam thinks last time out course and distance winner Indy Five is the one to bet.
- Tom – First Figaro (w/p)
- Sam – Indy Five
- Steve – Valadom (w/p)
- Deasy – First Figaro
14:25 Ayr – Scottish Champion Hurdle
Team Milkwood step forward. He won the race last year and has surely been campaigned with this race in mind. Steve points out he goes well fresh and his Galway form is the best on offer. Deasy is the one looking elsewhere with 8.0 shot Barichello
- Tom – Milkwood
- Sam – Milkwood
- Steve – Milkwood
- Deasy – Barichello (w/p)
Bet Now
14:45 Newbury – Novices’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
This used to be a race where a low weight was a big plus but more recent renewals have seen higher weights come good. I’m still looking below the 11 stone mark with Good Luck Charm. Holly Hartingo gets the nod from both Steve and Sam at a very interesting 13.0…
- Tom – Good Luck Charm
- Sam – Holly Hartingo
- Steve – Holly Hartingo
- Deasy – Sabrina
15:00 Ayr – Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices’ Chase
Good looking race this and Sam and Deasy are with Newbury scorer Do Your Job. Minella Drama has a penalty but Steve thinks he’s good enough to defy that at 3.5 whilst I’m chancing Il Ridoto who should fare better back on a sounder surface.
- Tom – Il Ridoto
- Sam – Do Your Job
- Steve – Minella Drama
- Deasy – Do Your Job
Best Lays
- Tom – Lay Sebastopol (13:15 Ayr)
- Sam – No lay
- Steve – Place lay West Cork (14:25 Ayr)
- Deasy – Sebastopol (13:15 Ayr)
Best Bets
- Tom – The Ferry Master (15:35 Ayr)
- Sam – Milkwood (14:25 Ayr)
- Steve – Milkwood (14:25 Ayr)
- Deasy – Kitty’s Light (15:35 Ayr)
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