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Ayr Scottish National Day 21st April 2012

The dust has now settled after the most exhilarating Grand Nationsl I have ever seen. Neptune Collognes will now one day figure in my horseracing memrobilia room (which I'm sure will happen one day) this bold, courageous grey has always been a favourite of mine but even more so after a gutsy, determined run from the elbow to the finish line. Well done to you if you backed it. A truly phenomenal training performance by Paul Nicholls coupled with the pilot who got him out of trouble and delivered him at he right time Daryl Jacob. That is without question the best National Hunt ride I have ever seen on the biggest stage! On with today's tips, I was going to include Newbury as it is the Greenham today but due to the soft going I'm going to swerve it as I expect to see quite a few unexpected results. Consequently my attentions turn to a quality card at Ayr.

1.40pm 2m 4f Class 3 Hurdles

The upcoming amateur riders go to post here and I've been vey impressed with Brendan Powell this season. But I'm not sure Bene Lad has the right credentials or class to win this race. Instead I'm looking at the David Pipe trained ENFANT DE LUNE who won at Ffos Las last time out and won that race convincingly over this trip, he does however carry a penalty for that run but with the Pipe team in fine fettle I believe this horse is a solid each way proposition.

2.15pm 2m 4f Class 1 Chase

Although only six go to post this is a tricky contest to call. However, I like consistent types and the trip is important as LANCETTO stands out as the consistent battler over the 20 furlong trip. This horse trained by Evan Williams is a real trier and on more than one occasion has found the top tier of racing a little difficult. Back against horses of equal measure this bay gelding has every chance.

2.50pm 2m Hurdle Class 1

RAYA STAR this maybe a case of heart ruling head as this Bay gelding is one of my favourite handicappers and has shown to be a classy horse on more than one occasion. If you forget the latest run at the Cheltenham festival and put a line straight through that form then 8/1 looks a big price. RAYA STAR has finished just over a length behind Zarkandar and the time before that back in December won the Ladbrokes Hurdle. Furthermore, Alan King has finished the season off well so it will be no surprise to see this horse in the mix over this trip.

3.25pm Coral Scottish Grand National 4m 110y Class 1

Not quite in the same league as last weekends National but a very competitive handicap all the same. Here I like two horses who both stay all day over the longer trips and are both nice prices. The trends in this race over the last five years are that no horse has won this race carrying more than 10 9lbs, eights and nine year olds have won the last four out of five renewals and no favourite has won this since 2000 when Paris Pike won this race for Ferdy Murphy. Both of my selections are carrying the right amount of weight, both stayers who have gone further than the three mile trip and both will have the stamina here. I'm looking at ANY CURRENCY and PORTRAIT KING at both each way prices, both out of the handicappers grip, both will enjoy the ground and both will have the stamina to last home. Nothing else left to say. And that's your lot...

I do fancy CASPER NETSCHER in the Greenham at Newbury but I think the soft going may find him out but I wouldn't put you off backing him. GOOD LUCK!

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