15:30
Ayr
Odds correct as of 10:35am 16th Apr
Friday’s racing looks thoroughly exciting, with excellent National Hunt and Flat action on offer. The Scottish Grand National meeting kicks off at Ayr and it’s not to be missed, whilst Newbury hosts some intriguing handicap action on the level.
The bang in-form Nicky Richards is one to watch at Ayr and Gavin Cromwell sends runners over too. Here we take a look at some of the key aspects of Friday’s racing and you can check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Ayr’s biggest National Hunt fixture of the season is the two-day Scottish Grand National meeting, which kicks off on Friday, and the £50,000 Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase looks like the race of the day.
It’s shaping up to be a competitive affair and top weight Twinjets has been in fairly good form so far this season. Jay Tidball takes 5lb off and the Paul Nicholls runners shouldn’t be dismissed. Nicholls also runs Il Ridoto but he could use some help from the handicapper.
Donnacha got the better of Jagwar when winning at Cheltenham in January and that rival has since boosted the form by finishing second at the Festival last month. Having had just nine chase starts so far, he looks like the one to beat.
No trainer is in better form at the moment than Nicky Richards and every single one of his runners needs to go under consideration. Saracen Beau looks like his best chance of a winner on the day, as he was impressive in a lower grade last time out.
He also has a couple of runners in the concluding handicap hurdle, one of which is the 10-year-old Summergrounds and the other is fellow veteran Rickety Gate.
Newbury’s best race is the Class 2 Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap over 7f and The Resdev Scholar (16/1, Boylesports) has been overlooked in the market. Progressive at the back end of last season, he won three races on the bounce and is equally as effective over six and seven furlongs. Narrowly denied on his seasonal debut, there could be loads more to come.
Gavin Cromwell is one of Ireland’s leading trainers and he landed a big winner in the Topham Chase at Aintree last week. He is sending two runners over to Ayr on Friday, the first of which is Secret Force in the opening race.
The son of Frankel is making his handicap debut and four-year-old’s receive a substantial allowance of 8lb here. Stuntman Steve runs in a novices’ handicap chase but he probably has a bit to find, on the evidence of his slightly disappointing recent form.
Sean Bowen is Ayr’s top jockey so far this season with 12 winners from his 27 rides and there could be more to come on Friday. He has five bites of the cherry and Castle Ivers looks like a very interesting candidate in the 1.45.
Newbury was a happy hunting ground for Oisin Murphy last year, as he was top Flat jockey at the track with 14 winners and has a solid book of rides on Friday. Allaire was second on debut last season and runs in the 3.07, whilst Classical Allusion has a huge chance.
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