THIS Saturday features an excellent card at Ayr, with the Scottish Grand National looking ultra-competitive as ever. The Lucinda Russell team can strike again with Your Own Story to give them another fantastic Saturday after last weekend’s Grand National success . At bigger prices I found it hard to split the progressive Famous Bridge stepping up in trip and Magna Sam, who has the proven stamina. In the end I went for Famous Bridge, so have an each-way wager on Magna Sam at Unibet 16/1.
At Newbury there are three Group 3 races featuring the John Porter Stakes, Fred Darling Stakes and Greenham Stakes.
Enjoy whether at the races or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.30 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (John Porter Stakes) Group 3 (1m 4f)
Mojo Star for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon was only seen once last season, when second to Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup, which was a top-class performance. Mojo Star was runner-up to Hurricane Lane in the St Leger and can come out in front this time with an excellent course record of 221.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE on this race!
2.25 Ayr – Scottish Champion Hurdle Grade 2 (2m)
Colonel Mustard (nap) has been a regular selection in my Unibet blog, having been first marked up in the 2022 County Hurdle when third behind State Man and was noted ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, if running. Instead, Colonel Mustard, ran in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso in early March, when running a tremendous race off top weight to finish second to Benson, after being prominent throughout. It is likely he will be ridden tactically with more restraint and this talented and genuine type has a strong chance on ground he is proven on.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
2.40 Newbury – Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes Group 3 (7f)
Grey’s Monument is the each-way selection to chase home Chaldean, who looks the odds-on winner. Grey’s Monument took his time to find his feet but was so impressive at York carrying a big weight in a nursery there, and then only found one too good in the Group 3 Horris Hill at the end of last year. Grey’s Monument showed with these performances that can really carry on progressing this season and has shown that he can run well in testing conditions.
3.15 Newbury – Spring Cup Handicap (1m)
Great Max has moved for the Amo Racing team from the Michael O’Callaghan yard to Alice Haynes, who has her stable in excellent form and is a trainer to keep onside this year. Great Max has been gelded and whilst last season he was highly campaigned at big prices, including in Group company, he did show at Chester in a handicap when a close fifth to Laneqash that he still has the ability. Back in his two-year-old days Great Max best Harrow on debut and ran in Group races against the likes of Native Trail. Alice Haynes has shown she is good at rejuvenating horses on the slide and Great Max is worth an each-way wager, as he will be fit on yard debut.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
3.35 Ayr – Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (4m)
Your Own Story hasn’t finished outside the first four on his seven starts for the Lucinda Russell team and will certainly reward each way players at a minimum here. He won over a furlong short of this trip at Wetherby in March and then finished second to Equus Dreamer at Haydock when staying on well from the last. Your Own Story will be suited by the good to soft conditions and will challenge late on, with Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox on board.
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES on this race!
Famous Bridge won at Wetherby back in March and then followed at the same course over three miles later in the month when idling in front to win cosily from Lord Of Kerek over three miles. He certainly is progressive, will like conditions and Famous Bridge looks the type to stay this marathon trip.
