The Scottish Grand National is the major attraction at Ayr on Saturday as its two-day meeting ends in style.
There’s also the Scottish Champion Hurdle for punters to get into, and our expert, Clive Gildon, has three selections at Ayr. Among them, there is a strong desire for the opening handicap race.
Saturday tips
- 1:15 p.m. Ayr – Persian time @ 11/2
- 2:25 p.m. Ayr – Florida Dreams @ 12/1
- 3:35 p.m. Ayr – Autonomous Cloud on 01/16
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1:15 p.m. Ayr – Persian time
There will certainly be some value in opposing the horses trained by Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins at Ayr on Saturday, with all three involved in a super fight for the British trainers’ title.
In the first handicap race on the card, Mullins’ representative Uncle Phil is considering a suitably high rating of 150 based on what he has achieved, while Sans Noise, trained by Nicholls, is quickly falling back after enduring a difficult race with a slow final speed. by winning at Aintree nine days ago.
The Skelton-trained Pembroke is the most to fear in the event of a break, but the lower weight of the era, Persian Time, looks the best on price and has been earmarked for this race.
There should be a strong pace here and that will suit Persian Time, who rallied well to score over 2m2f at Kempton in March at a time when Nicky Henderson’s horses weren’t firing.
The yard is going much better now and Persian Time has collateral lines that match smart novice chasers Djelo and Homme Public earlier in the campaign. He ran well in a novice hurdle race at this meet last season and that further builds confidence.
2:25 p.m. Ayr – Florida Dreams
Florida Dreams, one of last season’s top performers, could have done with a slightly drier field, but Connections has targeted that run all season under coach Nicky Richards.
After showing superb turn of foot to land an Aintree Grade 2 bumper slowly this time last year, Florida Dreams only scored once over hurdles (first hurdle over course and distance ) in a stop-start campaign, which could be due to the Proving Ground.
He finished fifth in the Formby Novices’ Grade One Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day when conditions were atrocious before failing to stay 3m at Musselburgh by jumping poorly.
However, he has done better over hurdles in previous outings, and there is no doubt he is exceptionally well handicapped on 128 if he bounces back. His profile reminds me of previous Aintree Grade 2 bumper winner Lookaway, who took a little while to find his feet but improved considerably as he gained experience.
3:35 p.m. Ayr – Autonomous Cloud
There’s a question mark over the state of the field in Ayr, but Autonomous Cloud can do it all. He stands out against Fergal O’Brien.
Autonomous Cloud had long trained as if he were capable of leading a major chase and looked better the further he went, improving his Racing Post rating with each start until he was stopped while he was well imagined for the Welsh Grand National.
An excuse appeared there, however, as he had a nosebleed. It would no doubt have put off many when Autonomous Cloud returned after an 80-day layoff in an opening draw at the Midlands National in Uttoxeter last month, but he was there skipping the last before weakening.
That run should have moved him forward, and he rates a big player 1lb lower and carrying low weight under Jonny Burke.
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