For UNCLE CAN A STEP CLOSER TO GLORY
TAKE MULLINS
HAVING obliged at Fairyhouse in January, UNCLE PHIL (1.15) is going to take all the beating in the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase run over two miles at Ayr racing off a ledge of 142.
Willie Mullins is sending him across the Irish Sea in his equine conquest of the western world.
Although he must carry a 3lb penalty mudlark HAMISH (1.30) is a con dent selection in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free John Porter Stakes run over a mile and a half at Newbury.
William Haggas’ veteran is ridden out by his wife Maureen every day at home and boasts an amazing record of seven out of eight victories in this class.
Soft
In the CMPS Novices’ Handicap Chase run over three miles at Ayr, MONTGOMERY (1.50) can complete a fourtimer for Venetia Williams on his favoured soft ground. He is only 6lb higher than his last winning mark.
John Gosden saddled a nice three-year-old lly called Ten Dimes to score at Newcastle on Tuesday evening, which bodes well for the chances of REGAL JUBILEE (2.05) in the Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Fillies’ Stakes run over seven furlongs.
This daughter of Frankel snared a Listed affair on heavy ground at Newmarket on her last outing as a juvenile in November, where the fourth has won since.
L’EAU DU SUD (2.25) was second of 17 in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March when rated 135, so he must be on the premises racing off a perch of 138 in the Coral Scottish Champion Handicap Hurdle run over two miles at Ayr.
Dan Skelton will be desperate for the prize money in his quest to become champion trainer, so I hope he instructs his brother, Harry, to hold on to this horse until the last minute before making his winning challenge.
With 15 runners lining up, hunt down a kind bookie paying four places and back the beast at 4-1.
Heavy
Unbeaten in a trio of starts as a two-year-old ZOUM ZOUM (2.40) can pull another rabbit out of the hat in the Watership Down Stud Greenham Stakes run over seven furlongs.
He accounted for Kikkuli – who scored at Newmarket on Tuesday – on heavy ground at Headquarters in November, before following up under similar conditions a fortnight later in a Listed affair at
Saint-cloud.
It’s obvious the son of Zoustar will relish the squelchy conditions this afternoon.
Willie Mullins is running three in the Jordon Electrics Mares’ Handicap Hurdle run over three miles at Ayr, but I’m backing LARCHMONT LASS (3.00) who has only 10st 4lb on her back.
Paul Nicholls’ lady was fourth of 17 off a perch of 113 in a hot handicap at Newbury last month, so she looks sure to go adjacent racing off the same rating.
Ed Walker has his horses in rare form, so back TERWADA (3.15) in the OLGB Spring Mile Handicap run over a mile at Newbury, so he must be the each-way pick at 11-1.
Surface
“Skelton will be desperate for the prize money”
A winner on an easy surface at Newmarket in July, the four-year-old is drawn right under the stands side rail in stall 21 of 21.
If there was an award for the gamest mare of the season MY SILVER LINING (3.35) would get my vote.
Emma Lavelle’s lady has proud form gures of 122123 in her six runs this campaign, and on her last trip to the belts and braces she picked up the bronze medal in the Midlands Grand National 35 days ago.
With just 10st 3lb on her back in the Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase, she will give us an each-way run for our readies at 16-1 with a layer offering six places.