I’m a Sol man for Ayr raid
THEY always go off at a fierce gallop in the Coral Scottish Grand National and, with the ground drying, today’s contest will be no exception.
Given the domination the Irish have enjoyed in Britain this season, it would be fair to expect one of their runners to make a mark in this historic race.
However, amazingly none has won this four-mile test in modern times.
It’s a race rich in trends, the others most relevant being:
Finished in the first six last time out.
Fallen or unseated only once during their career.
Raced within the past 57 days.
From a 30-strong field, we are quickly down to a shortlist of six.
West Approach hasn’t taken to fences and has pulled up on his last two attempts on good ground. He’s not guaranteed to stay either and can be omitted, along with Indy Five and Joe Farrell.
Alzammaar runs in snatches and doesn’t look good enough, so we are siding with SILSOL to give Paul Nicholls a fourth Scottish National victory.
Fifth in the Welsh equivalent at Chepstow earlier in the year, the nine-year-old won the last time he faced a faster surface and was fourth in the Midlands version last month.
Have 2pts each-way at 25-1 with Coral and the same bet with the sponsors on BEWARE THE BEAR.
He stays all day and acts on quicker ground.