'He's very much on an upward curve' - Micky Hammond in optimistic mood

Tuesday: 1.05 Ayr
Book Coral Scottish Grand National Now Handicap Hurdle | 2m4½f | 3yo+ | RTV

Bigbadmattie is the obvious starting point when assessing this ten-runner field. The seven-year-old remains unexposed after just four starts over hurdles and he was an easy eight-and-a-half length winner over Worcester's fixed-brush hurdles on his last start in October.

That race came in a higher grade and his Racing Post Rating of 125 and an official mark of 122 – up 13lb from his Worcester win – could still be lenient.

However, plenty has changed since then, not least a switch of yards from Emma Lavelle to James Ewart. His trainer's record of 4-20 with new recruits in this code is respectable, but his winless run drags back two months and 20 runners.

Ewart's recent runners have not exactly been threatening the frame either, bar one, so there are legitimate concerns over the form of Bigbadmattie's new stable.

For a horse who was been campaigned over the summer months, he handled soft ground well at Worcester, although he may have benefited from his rivals, most of who are summer horses, not being ideally suited by the easier conditions.

The other last-time-out winner is Foster'sisland, who won over a furlong shorter at this course from the reopposing Blow By Blow, with the runner-up now meeting on 5lb better terms.

However, Foster'sisland was probably value for more than the winning margin of a length and a quarter, perhaps hitting the front too soon and making a meal of the last.

Serious Ego was an eyecatcher at Hexham last time and is another to mention as he steps back up in trip, while Lord Of Kerak is the only runner making his seasonal reappearance. He was well beaten in Grade 2 and Listed novice races last season but this is a drop in class on handicap debut.

What they say

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Grand Morning
He loves it around there, it's the right track and trip. He doesn't seem to enjoy his chasing that much so we're hoping he'll prefer it back over hurdles.

James Ewart, trainer of Bigbadmattie
He came from Emma Lavelle, who did a great job with him. He looks in great condition for his first run for us and he's done nothing wrong at home. He's in good order and lightly raced.

Micky Hammond, trainer of Foster'sisland
He did well for us last season, he summered well and he's very much on an upward curve. He likes the ground and track and goes there with a good chance. We're just moving up the handicap a little bit and it's a slightly better race. We respect the opposition but we're very happy with our horse and looking forward to him running.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Serious Ego
He ran a good race on comeback; hopefully he's improved a little bit for it. I'm not sure about the trip, I think his ideal trip is two miles on very heavy ground, but it won't be that. Hopefully, he'll run a good race.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Calivigny
He's fine, I think the handicapper needs to cut him more slack now he's 12, pressing 13, to win again. He loves Ayr, he's very versatile and in great form, but to say I fancy him would be a bit of an exaggeration. Softer conditions will help but at two and a half miles it would probably help if it was heavy. It's been heavy when he's won a few races around there.

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