The Scottish Grand National at Ayr will be run in dry conditions with the going as of Friday lunchtime good to soft, though like Aintree there has been plenty of ongoing watering in the build up to Ayr’s big jump race of the season, with these exceptional dry conditions for this time of year.

It is a difficult job for the clerk of the course and the ground looks likely to be on the good side for the Scottish Grand National, with my two selections for the feature Rock My Way and Mr Kniphand both proven on this surface. There is of course a strong Irish challenge making this a very competitive renewal with domestic runners right in the mix.

At Newbury there is a quality card of flat racing with the dry weather ensuring there are some good fields for the Group action.

Enjoy whether at Ayr or watching at home on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

2.15 Ayr – Scottish Champion Hurdle Limited Handicap Grade 2 (2m)

Kabral Du Mathan looks just the right type for this. He’s unexposed after just the three handicap starts, whilst his second in a very competitive handicap at Windsor last time out has thrown up plenty of good efforts from those in behind since, and he missed the County Hurdle to come here, which looks a good decision. He has all the right attributes to win a race of this nature and is the one to beat.

Unibet 3/1

2:35 Newbury – Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes Group 3 (7f)

Rashabar won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot on rattling quick ground last June and continued to improve as the season progressed, placed in Group 1s at both Deauville and Longchamp, narrowly going down to Camille Pisarro in the Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. There’s no reason he shouldn’t train on; indeed he could be even better this year, and on form he’s clearly the one to beat here.

Unibet 3/1  

3:12 Newbury – OLBG Spring Cup Handicap (1m)

James McHenry has been nudged up in the weights for finishing second in the Cambridgeshire last year, though he looks up to the task. A winner on his seasonal debut at Carlisle last year, he ran with great consistency in quality handicaps throughout the season, and on all grounds ranging from soft to good to firm. He’s nicely drawn in stall 5 and can continue to progress this season. There is plenty to like about his chances here.

Unibet 5/1

3:35 Ayr – Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (4m)

Rock My Way (nap) has form figures this season of 31422 and showed last time out at the Cheltenham Festival when a staying on runner-up to the very smart Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap over three miles six furlongs that this trip will certainly suit him. He also showed back in November at Doncaster when winning a novice handicap over three miles on good ground that conditions will be fine for him, given the course looks sure to ride quicker than good to soft. Rock My Way will be suited by the trip and conditions, whilst a weight of 10st 11lb is in his favour too.

Unibet 10/1 each way

The Kniphand like Rock My Way is also a seven-year-old, which is not a negative for the Scottish Grand National, and he also has had a good season with form figures of 12132. His most recent appearance in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster when staying on well behind Moroder when second showed he looks sure to stay a marathon trip with this stamina test bringing out more improvement. The winning formula is there with success at Southwell in October on good ground and a victory at Doncaster in December on good to soft.The Kniphand will run well, and he looks sure to reward each way players.

Unibet 10/1 each way