Geronimo battle cry

GERONIMO might just be the answer to the Scottish Grand National which, as always, looks a very tricky contest to call.

The eight-year-old is very consistent, having at least finished in the money on all but one of his starts.

He also has course form, with his two wins to date coming at this venue and will have the joint lowest weight in the race as his regular rider Rachel Mcdonald takes off a valuable 5lbs.

The last of his successes came over 3m 3f around here in January and he looks set to go close for Scottish trainer Sandy Thomson who would love to win this race.

A number of the runners look to have leading chances, including BEWARE THE BEAR and VINTAGE CLOUDS who finished first and second respectively in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month.

But another I fancy to run well at a big price is MYSTEREE.

He has been placed over this distance, including a second to CROSSPARK who also runs here, in the Eider at Newcastle last time.

At 11, he might be vulnerable to something younger but he’s another trained in Scotland who could run into a place.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Champion Hurdle could be going to an Irish-trained winner for the first time since the Charlie Swan-trained Emmpat took the contest in 2007.

PEARL OF THE WEST runs for Co Meath trainer John Mcconnell and looks like he has been laid out for the race.

He defeated Redicean, who is a lot shorter in the betting for the Ayr contest than him, at Cheltenham in October and his first run since that success at Dundalk last month should have him primed for a big effort here.

Gordon Elliott sends plenty of runners to Scotland and has VEINARD in the opener at Ayr today.

This lad won over course and distance in February and should go close under Sean Bowen.

Meanwhile at Newbury, BOITRON looks the one to beat in the absence of Too Darn Hot in the Greenham. He won all three of his starts in England last season, including over course and distance, before finishing fourth in a Group 1 on Arc day at Longchamp.

This looks a good opportunity for him to return to winning ways.

At home, Irish Derby winner LATROBE is the pick for the Group 3 Alleged Stakes at Naas, with his trainer Joseph O’brien reporting he “has come on from last year”.