Friday, April 20, 2007

Ayr Scottish National meeting


A number of the twenty four runners declared for tomorrow's Scottish Grand National have had a long season. I'm putting up Malcolm Jefferson's Classic Capers as a horse who should run well at a decent each way price (currently 33/1 with Ladbrokes). Last year's winner Run For Paddy looks like a horse that has been laid out for the race but the fact the yard hasn't had a winner for over three weeks is a considerable negative.

On paper the opener at 1.55 is between Poquelin and Pouvoir. Poquelin is the top rated horse and will be priced accordingly. He looked anything but an easy ride when finishing third to Punjabi at Kempton in February. Since then he has finished a creditable sixth in the Triumph but jumped poorly. Pouvoir has 7lbs to find but he likes to race prominently and I favour him to turn over the probable favourite.

The Future Champion Novices' Chase looks a hot affair. The better ground will suit David Pipe's Buena Vista and he's won over the distance. Faasel ran second to Aces Four over three miles at Aintree last week and may not have had enough time to recover. I take Paul Nicholls' Natal to win this event.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

22/1 at the off, Classic Capers, normally a sound jumping individual, hit the second and unseated his rider. Run For Paddy finished fourth at 12/1.
A change of tactics worked for Poquelin as he went on from the off and easily beat English City with 6/4 shot Pouvoir a disappointing third.
Natal (9/4) had no answer to Yes Sir's speed and slick jumping finishing a well beaten second.