HORSE RACING

With predictions of 15 degrees it’s going to be thrills in the sun this Saturday at Ayr Racecourse for the Scottish National.

With 43 entries standing their ground at time of writing, many of whom present as live chances with the right credentials to have a go, it might be easier to find a polar bear in a snow storm. But try we will.

Only 30 will be lucky enough to travel the four miles and jump 27 fences in the hope of grabbing some of the 112k prize money on offer so we’ll flag up four selections in the hope that if not all, at least some will get to the starting line.

But before we move onto that we must firstly address VICENTE, the 2016/ 2017 winner who returns to defend his title.

This year he would need to defy being favourite – we know the horse doesn’t know its price and he’s done it before but to do it twice?

We also know favourites don’t come in often and you’re better to check out double figure horses - third favourite and above.

And a bit like me after a weekend takeaway, VICENTE will have the challenge of carrying a fair bit of weight at 11st 1lb.

Look for horses carrying 10st 9lb and below. We must also address that trainer on fire’s entries - Gordon Elliott – who fresh from winning the Grand National for the second time in his relatively short career has two entries. FAGAN and FOLSOM BLUE are the names in question. And it’s FOLSOM BLUE who strikes the most fear.

When I get up on that joint at Ayr on Saturday I have no intention of laying it.

It will be a case of avoid, avoid, avoid in the hope of a get out of jail card……… I have no plans to sing the blues.

Perhaps if it wins Michael O’Leary who, on his way home from his Grand National win, bought the whole plane a drink might upgrade to a Johnny Cash rendition along with a drink.

So what will win? Having looked at recent form, stable form, the horses’ age, their speed, their jumping ability, the time of year, their ratings and ground – we are taking the current prediction soft, here are the four we think have good chances:

FOLSOM BLUE for Gordon Elliott, SIZING TENESSEE for Colin Tizzard, REGAL FLOW for Bob Buckler and THE YOUNG MASTER for Neil Mulholland. Of those The Young Master ( 33/ 1) and Regal Flow ( 25/ 1) seem overpriced.

If you are one of the lucky folks who have got their ticket to the sold out day, we’ll see you there to shout, roar, cheer and bag a winner or two along the way.

The very best of luck.

• Check www. ayrshirepost. co. uk on Friday for Julie’s latest big race thoughts.