Absolute Blast may blow in for a hat-trick

IT’S onwards and upwards for Absolute Blast, who has done little wrong since joining Iain Jardine. A mare that appeared in the 2015 French Oaks, she has clearly appreciated the Dumfriesshire air and boasts two wins and a head second since arriving at her new home overlooking the Solway estuary.

Jardine already has her entered in next month’s Group 3 Winter Derby at Lingfield and she is also likely to head for the valuable all-weather on Good Friday at the same venue or possibly even the Lincoln. But, before those heady engagements, she could attempt the hat-trick in a fillies’ handicap at Wolverhampton on Tuesday. It’s great to hear it confirmed that Lucinda Russell has entered recent impressive Warwick winner One For Arthur in the £1 million Grand National, sponsored for the first time this year by Randox Health. Entries for the Aintree marathon close at noon on Tuesday and One For Arthur been raised by 10lb to a mark of 147 which greatly enhances his chances of making the final line-up of 40 at 5.15pm on April 8. Even though he was favourably treated by the weights as the only four-year-old, how impressive was Project Bluebook at Musselburgh last Friday? He ripped a competitive handicap hurdle field apart and I reckon this useful ex-Flat recruit could be a serious prospect.

John Quinn landed the 2012 Triumph Hurdle with another juvenile, Countrywide Flame, but this time I gather the Malton handler is targeting the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle for Project Bluebook.

He’s currently a best-priced 20-1 and there is plenty of less-tempting ante-post value at the moment, especially given the fact he has gone up almost a stone for his Musselburgh romp.

There is still time to get plenty of value from an annual membership at our five Scottish racecourses and remember Hamilton Park and Perth have yet to open their doors in 2017

It’s shaping up to be a cracking card at Ayr tomorrow and champion jockey Richard Johnson is set to be in action. I see also Adrian Heskin, new stable jockey to Tom George, is booked for a ride in the bumper. If he appears it will be his first visit to Ayr and indeed only his second ride north of the border – his only previous mount in Scotland, Kilbree Kid, won at Perth in September.