After David Mullins’ heroics last weekend, uncle Willie will be hoping to land a first winner at Ayr’s showpiece race on Saturday
A week after 19-year-old David Mullins steered Rule The World home to win the Grand National, the attention now switches to Scotland.
The Aintree festival produced some great moments and big winners over the three days and we could be in for something similar at Ayr on Saturday.
Ch’tibello could claim a first win in Scottish Champion Hurdle
The likes of Clondaw Warrior and Ivan Grozny top the markets in the 3.00pm at Ayr, but Ch’tibello is tempting at 8/1.
The five-year-old has been impressive in his three runs so far for the Skelton team, recording two seconds and a third place.
He was a notable 14/1 second to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Altior at Ascot in October and, had it not been for a mistake at the last, could have gone on to win at Newbury.
He was beaten that day by Sternrubin and Richard Johnson, who will be looking to repeat his success 12 months ago on Cheltenian.
The one to keep your eye on, though, is 12/1 shot Cloudy Dream.
So far a horse that is proven to make you profit after winning four out of six rides and the other two placing third.
It will be interesting to see how he copes over the distance, but that price still holds value.
Kinema to put on a show in the 4.40 at Thirsk
This is a handicap that features 17 runners – many of whom are struggling for form.
The one who boasts consistent form is Alan Swinbank’s Kinema with four second-place finishes and the other third in his last five races.
Despite no experience at Thirsk and winless since last June, he has shown tremendous consistency and was an impressive second over 1m 6f in a Handicap at Nottingham.
With Saturday’s distance 2f shorter, he should have no issues with stamina.
Willie Mullins dreaming of a first Scottish Grand National
The feature race of the day is the Scottish Grand National at 4.10pm and Measureofmydreams at 9/1 has a great chance.
He comes into the race on good form having won two of his previous three races, although he did benefit from a Black Hercules’ fall in the Grade 2 Novice Chase at Navan.
Despite that, he put in a gallant effort last time out in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, coming a credible third with Katy Walsh on board.
Bryan Cooper is the man on the saddle this time and he was victorious in his last ride on board at Punchestown in January.
That experience in a big field at Cheltenham can only boost his chances and a similar performance on Saturday may well gift Willie Mullins his first victory in this race.
A good outside bet, meanwhile, is Emperor’s Choice.
Trained by Venetia Williams, he has experience winning big handicaps as he landed the Welsh Grand National in December 2014.
He is on relatively solid form reading (2411-PU) and can be forgiven pulling up last time out at Chepstow as horrendous conditions that day saw only six out 20 finish.
A proven jumper who stays on well, at 40/1 and with four places on offer, this represents excellent each-way value.
Each-Way Patent:
Kinema 15/2
Ch’tibello 8/1
Measureofmydreams 9/1
A £1 EW patent (£14 total stake) will return £1108.87
Odds and amounts correct at time of publication but subject to change. See site for latest.
READ: Richard Johnson: Spookydooky ticks plenty of boxes in the Scottish Grand National
