It’s a busy month of nationals and we start April with the Scottish Grand National. A field of 23 runners has been declared and several bookies are paying out six places with a few even seven places.
Win My Wings won the Eider chase at Newcastle easily on her first run over an extended marathon trip. She is not the biggest but jumped well coming from off the pace to catch the eye almost a mile from home. Ryan Mania sent her on to win her race before two out and she had her ears pricked jumping the last fence before idling badly on the run to the line flattering the never closer Éclair Surf in second place. The handicapper was suitably impressed raising Win My Wings 8lbs to a career high mark of 140. Trainer Christian Williams has booked top Irish point to point rider Rob James to help negate that 8lb hike to just a 1lb higher mark. Win My Wings has proven she stays well and is well capable of carrying 10-12. She has won three of her seven runs over fences and is progressive. The good to soft ground is fine and Ayr has a similar profile to that of Newcastle.
Major Dundee has been well found in the market, but I remain interested in backing this novice chaser. Trainer Alan King won this race with Godsmejudge who was a 7yo and Paul Nicholls trained dual winner Vincente to win it the first time as a 7yo. Major Dundee has plenty of size and scope for jumping fences and caught many a judge’s eye at Newbury in early March. He stayed on stoutly that day over 2m7.5f on soft ground looking ready or in need of a longer trip. The progeny of his sire Scorpion love nice ground and he can only improve for racing on good to soft ground. The handicapper treated him leniently with only a 3lb hike to a mark of 132 in the handicap ratings following Newbury. Alan King knows Major Dundee is well handicapped with his best days over fences ahead and it is taking the chance that this novice chaser can overcome his inexperience to win a Scottish Grand National. Tom Cannon rides and Major Dundee can be there or thereabouts at the finish.
Of the rest a couple of horses that placed in the race last season such as Cool Mix and The Ferry Master should go well again. The novices Fantastikas and Ashtown Lad have thier chances in a wide open race.
Ayr – 3:35
0.5 point each way Win My Wings 8/1 Bet365 7 places else William Hill paying 6 places.
0.5 point each way Major Dundee 11/1 Betfred 7 places else 11/1 generally with bookies paying 6 places.
Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/ayr/15:35/winner
