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'I'll be surprised if he doesn't win in some style' - Richard Birch provides his fancies for a big day over both codes
What’s the big story?
High-class jump and Flat racing collide on a day where you could potentially see a future Grand National or Classic winner.
The Coral Scottish Grand National (3.35) is the feature at Ayr where a thrilling title race battle between Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton will be fought out.
Mullins is six-handed, with unexposed Chosen Witness heading the market, while Skelton relies on Sail Away and Snipe.
Newbury hosts a trio of Group 3s, including Classic trials best known as the Fred Darling Stakes (2.00) and Greenham Stakes (2.35). Charlie Appleby and William Buick team up with Mountain Breeze and Al Qudra in those races respectively.
If that’s not enough to get the pulse racing, last year’s St Leger hero Jan Brueghel reappears to defend an unbeaten record of four in the Group 3 Tote.ie Alleged Stakes (4.35) at the Curragh.
I can’t wait.
Who wins the Scottish Grand National?
Mullins trains his horses to peak in the spring, so forget about what Macdermott has done so far this season.
He’s been sent off at odds of 33-1 (twice), 28-1 and 16-1 in four runs this term, yet most bookmakers are only prepared to offer 9-1 that the seven-year-old can retain the crown he won in such thrilling fashion last year.
That tells its own story. Macdermott has been primed by a genius for this £200,000 sizzler and can bounce back to his best on the day it matters most.
What’s the best bet at Newbury?
Both Classic trials look tricky so I’ll side with Crown Of Oaks in the mile maiden (3.45).
I thought this Wootton Bassett colt shaped particularly well when third behind Secret Theory on his debut over 7f at Newmarket last October.
William Haggas won this race 12 months ago with Economics and Crown Of Oaks could be another to take high rank.
He holds entries in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas, Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
What’s the best bet of the day?
King Ulanda’s Musselburgh win has been franked and he bumped into a well-handicapped, on-song Aggagio next time. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t win the novices’ handicap hurdle (3.20) at Bangor in some style.
Any other fancies?
Too Cool Forshrule looks a fast-improving six-year-old who will take the world of beating from the foot of the weights in Bangor’s 2m4½f handicap chase (3.59).
The best bet at Brighton’s first meeting of the year is Kracking, who holds a significant race-fitness advantage over four of his five rivals in the mile handicap (6.30) and could enjoy an uncontested lead.
Be lucky.
Read more . . .
2025 Scottish Grand National runners, tips and trainer insight: David Carr's pinstickers' guide
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Published on inRaceday Intel
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