Ayr Saturday

1:15 Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 110y

The handicapper has reacted to the win of Sans Bruit at Aintree, but he again looks to have perfect conditions and can win again if he avoids bumping heads with Uncle Phil early. A line through Saint Roi may suggest that Uncle Phil has an edge over the selection, but I think Saint Roi ran much closer to his best in the Red Rum than he did when behind Uncle Phil at Fairyhouse in January.

If the two mentioned do get involved in a battle for the lead, they could set it up for Tommy’s Oscar, but I think Sans Bruit will again be allowed to dominate, and his jumping was a huge asset at Aintree.

1:50 CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase 3m 20y

This looks very open but one who does look a little overpriced is Donny Boy,who represents the in-form Nick Alexander stable and looks to have crept in under the radar.

The stable has had five winners from just 12 runners in April, all but one of which were ridden by the under-rated Bruce Lynn, who is excellent value for his remaining 3lb claim.

Donny Boy ought to have won from a 1lb lower mark at Newcastle in December and has backed that effort up with two creditable performances since, not being seen to best effect on either occasion, and finding heavy ground against him last time.

Lynn now takes over from Lorcan Williams and he will likely appreciate the strong pace expected here, as he has shown his best form when held up for a late run. With jockey and trainer in fine form, and in cheekpieces for the first time, Donny Boy looks capable of taking advantage of a slipping mark.

2:25 Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

Bialystock is interesting here with the track likely to suit him much better than Cheltenham, but he is well found in the market, and while beaten over 18 lengths by L’eau Du Sud in the County Hurdle, he’s only 3lb better off, and isn’t a much bigger price, which shows that the wise guys have already taken much of the value from that angle.

I could still be tempted by Bialystock, who was shaping up well when brought down at the DRF two starts back, but he’d need to be nearer 10/1 than his current price, and Dan Skelton’s runner is preferred with 4/1 currently on offer about the Betfair Hurdle and County Hurdle runner-up.

Those are two of the strongest pieces of collateral form available here, and I expected him to be closer to 5/2 here, so must go where the value dictates.

3:00 Jordan Electrics Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 3m 70y

Coco Mademoiselle shaped much better than the result when pulled up on her handicap bow over hurdles and was back on track when winning easily at Chepstow last time, so is taken to prove herself fairly treated at the second attempt. She’s unproven over three miles under rules but is stoutly enough bred and has point-to-point form that suggests she should stay.

3:35 Coral Scottish Grand

National (Premier Handicap) 3m 7f 176y

Inis Oirr won the Edinburgh National for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox, the seven-year-old improving for forcing tactics as much as the fitting of a visor and looks an ideal sort for the Scottish National, for which he’s clearly been put away.

The handicapper raised him 14lb to 133 for this 21-length rout, but that merely ensures his place in the premier long-distance handicap chases, and he looks one to keep on the right side as a result.

The yard had the opening winner of the meeting yesterday, and Inis Oirr has the right run style as well as untapped potential at marathon trips, so looks the best choice in an open and compelling contest.

Dangers abound but I’ve had my saver on Ballygrifin Cottage, who had his spell in the wilderness after beating Beauport impressively at Haydock last season. He came back to form when a good second at Sandown last time, and while clearly delicate (has bled) could not be in better hands.

Newbury Saturday

1:30 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise (John Porter) Stakes (Group 3) 1m 4f

Al Qareem has a lifetime record on good or slower ground that reads 1215112, improving to 121112 below Group 1 company. He won after a length break last season, beating Bluestocking a neck giving that top-class filly 12lb. He followed up in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes before finishing a game second to Hamish in the St Simon Stakes on his final start. He’s held by Hamish on that running, but is only a five-year-old with more to offer, whereas Hamish is eight now and potentially vulnerable on his return. At the prices, I’m happy to back Al Qareem each-way in a race where only three or four make appeal as likely winners.

2:05 Dubai Duty Free (Fred

Darling) Stakes (Group 3) 7f

The best form on offer here comes from Relief Rally, but the Haggas filly does not appeal as the sort to train on having looked a pocket rocket last season. She is also unlikely to stay seven furlongs to my eye and looks a poor favourite.

I much prefer the claims of the ex-Italian filly Folgaria, whose form last season in blacktype events has worked out well and she looks the likeliest winner on paper.

2:40 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) 7f

Zoum Zoum is a big, strong gelding who obviously won’t be winning any classics but who appeals as the sort to improve markedly for another winter under his belt, and being just about the pick of the field on his win in the Prix Herod at Saint-Cloud in November, looks hard to oppose in an ordinary if competitive Group 3.

The galloping track at Newbury will also suit Ralph Beckett’s charge and I find him very hard to oppose.

3:15 OLBG Spring Cup

Handicap 1m

The Paul and Oliver Cole-trained Thunder Ball fared best of those who raced prominently into a headwind in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster and looks one to keep on the right side in the top mile handicaps this term.

He ran well at a big price in the Cambridgeshire given his lack of experience, and then won on soft ground at Goodwood late in the season. Much better than the result after committing for home plenty early enough at Doncaster, he makes plenty of appeal to make amends from the same mark as when seventh to Mr Professor last time.

Only a four-year-old the well-bred Thunder Ball is taken to progress through the ranks this term and could easily end up on the verge of group class.

Donny Boy 1:50 Ayr – 1pt e/w 14/1 (general – 4 places)

Inis Oirr 3:35 Ayr – 1.5pts e/w 11/1 (Coral, Ladbrokesl)

Al Qareem 1:30 Newbury – 1pt e/w 11/2 (Bet365, Hills)

Thunder Ball 3:15 Newbury – 1.5pts e/w 9/1 (Bet365, Hills – 5 places)