Bank on Dollar to land a home win
HOME-TRAINED winners of the Coral Scottish Grand National have been pretty scarce in recent times, but DINGO DOLLAR (Ayr, nb, 3.35) can strike for those north of the border tomorrow.
Dual victor Merigo is the only Scottish-trained winner of the Ayr showpiece in nearly four decades, but Aye Right, Mighty Thunder and the Sandy Thomson-trained selection look to hand the natives a strong hand in this year’s renewal.
Narrow preference is for Dingo Dollar, who looks rejuvenated for a switch to Thomson’s stable from Alan King’s, judging by a 10length success at Newcastle last month.
The application of a tongue tie looked to work the oracle and although the nine-year-old has been raised 8lb, he still appeals.
A previous visit to Ayr saw him finish runner-up in a novices’ handicap chase following a polished round of jumping.
Hopefully, he can hand his trainer some compensation for the defeat suffered by See you at midnight in this race five years ago, when his chasing stalwart was third after ploughing through the last fence when in front.
Given the success of Irish raiders in the past month, Mister Fog patches is feared, with his Leopardstown fourth last time receiving a number of boosts. Newbury stages a cracking card with tremendous renewals of the Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes and Watership Down Stud Greenham Stakes.
There are a host of talented fillies in the former, but ALCOHOL FREE (Newbury, 2.10) hails from a yard which has started the turf season in grand form and this track should play to her strengths.
Jockey Jim Crowley appears to have chosen MUJBAR (Newbury, 2.45) over Alkumait in the Greenham and the selection might be worth heeding as he looks more of a sevenfurlong type than the Mill Reef winner.