'He looked like he could be a Graded horse - he's in good form now'

Tuesday: 3.23 Ayr
Coral Backing Scottish Racing Handicap Chase | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

A mature betting market is likely to reveal plenty about the potential destination of this £13,400 prize, with plenty of early questions needing answers.

Will the 128-rated Finawn Bawn, who had Prime Venture (134) and Copperhead (148) behind him when a two-and-a-quarter-length third to Truckers Lodge (150) in a Chepstow beginners' chase on his sole start over fences, be primed to win after a 749-day absence?

Is Duc De Grissay, who underwent wind surgery over the summer, using this race as a prep for the far more valuable Scottish Borders National at Kelso next month? Many will wince when they recall how the heavily backed 5-2 favourite was upsides the winner Dino Boy in the race last year when he sprawled on landing and unseated Ryan Mania after the final fence.

Will the admirable Clan Legend, who has an outstanding record when fresh, find the combination of a stiff mark of 133, a longer trip than is probably ideal, and ground which is likely to be less testing than he requires too much to cope with?

Can last year's winner Crixus's Escape, who had the benefit of a previous run on that occasion, defy an absence of 209 days this time?

Perhaps it is three-time, course-and-distance winner Glittering Love, third to Crixus's Escape 12 months ago and now 6lb better off, of whom the market will speak most favourably. Time will tell.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Nick Alexander, trainer of Clan Legend
He's got a good record fresh. He'd probably prefer softer ground but he steps up to three miles for the first time. It'll be interesting to see if he stays, it opens more options for us if he does. He's got a lot of weight but we're looking forward to running.

Iain Jardine, trainer of She'sasupermack
She's better over fences but we're going there off the back of her good win over hurdles at Aintree. We've got her fit and well and she goes well fresh, so we're hopeful. She likes Ayr and the ground should be fine, it looks the right race.

She'sasupermack: winner of two chases for Iain JardineCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Olly Murphy, trainer of Finawn Bawn
It's his first run back but he's in good form. He's a horse with plenty of ability but he's had a lot of issues – he looked like he could be a Graded horse at one point. He will improve for the run but my horses seem in good nick and he could run well.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Glittering Love
He's a big horse and usually needs his first run. Having said that, we thought he ran a nice race over hurdles at Carlisle. He was right there coming up to the second-last and just got tired, Brian [Hughes, jockey] was pleased with him. He seems in good form and we're back to his day job going three-mile chasing. He needs soft in the going description. Hopefully, he'll be back in the winner's enclosure before long.
Reporting by James Stevens

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