ROYALE CAN REIGN AT AYR

Southfield Royale must have a huge chance in tomorrow’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Trained in Wiltshire by the in-form Neil Mulholland, the seven-year-old gelding has class and staying power. Though things have not gone to plan this season, there is enough evidence to suggest that all might soon be well with the world.

Southfield Royale was a decent hurdler, but he was essentially marking time before heading over fences.

His novice season was a deep success, with a Grade Two triumph at Doncaster backed up by a terrific second-place finish in the Feltham at Kempton.

Third that day was star chaser Native River, so the form is there for all to see.

That rival then finished ahead of him in the four-miler at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, but Southfield Royale seemed to get the trip nicely and might have finished a bit closer than fourth had he not made a mistake three out.

Mulholland’s inmate was admittedly disappointing upon his return at Doncaster in January, then he fell in the Kim Muir back at Cheltenham last month.

Southfield Royale does not look too badly weighted, and jockey Noel Fehily has been a bit of a maestro in big races this season.

With the ground perfectly fine for him, he should have what it takes.

On the Flat at Newbury, the Group Three JLT Greenham Stakes takes top billing. It looks fairly tough to call, but it could pay to side with Zainhom.

Midterm goes in the John Porter Stakes, but he might have to play second fiddle to Dal Harraild.

Dabyah can advance her 1000 Guineas claims by winning the Fred Darling Stakes.