Ayr Racing Tips: Saturday Selections At Scottish Grand National Meeting

A day at Ayr that will undoubtedly have massive ramifications on the British Trainers Championship race is upon us, with the feature contest the Scottish Grand National the main attraction. There are some fine races on the undercard, however, and Billy Grimshaw has a couple more betting recommendations for the ITV action...

13:43 Ayr - CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase

After scooping this race in 2024 on the trail to winning the British Trainers' title for the first time and etching his name even deeper into the history books, Willie Mullins has a great chance of retaining this race with LOUGHGLYNN looking like a novice chaser on the up who could next season be competing here in the big race, or even at Aintree for the Grand National.

I loved his gameness when just done for a bit of toe last time out at Punchestown, attempting to make all, and with Sean O'Keefe booked for the ride I am confident the instructions will be similar here in that the horse has stamina in abundance so make it a real test. He will I've no doubt emerge as a much better horse than his current rating of 143 in the fullness of time and although there is a potential front running rival in Ideal Des Bordes, I'd be confident Loughglynn is a more stout stayer. A worry could be that all his runs have been on yielding or softer, but he certainly doesn't move like a horse who won't enjoy it firmer underfoot.

In a race like this one jumping fluency will be crucial and I'd back Loughglynn, who has been improving with each chase start, to put in an assured round off the front end. If he does, he'll be tough to pass and can help his trainer edge closer to retaining the Championship. Whistle Stop Tour rates the main danger for Lucinda Russell, a home country trainer, as the horse has a good record here and was unfortunate to lose all chance when nearly brought down at Cheltenham last time out. He's better than that and can give Loughglynn the most to think about.

14:15 Ayr - Scottish Champion Hurdle

To the surprise of many, I am actually going to take on Willie Mullins in the main supporting race to the Scottish Grand National, as I think Ethical Diamond's form is being overrated from an understrength County. Were Kargese or even Absurde in here, the winner and third that day, I'd think differently as they are clearly top class but with that aforementioned County seeing an unusually small field, I am not mad keen to give credit to horses down the field as Ethical Diamond was.

Valgrand will probably lead them all if ridden in his usual style and I don't discount him entirely for team Skelton, who would give almost anything for the win here you feel with their title quest looking doomed for the second year running thanks to Willie. Valgrand looked very smart in the autumn but his form fell away through the winter, however that could be purely down to ground and it'll be quicker than he's seen all winter here. 

Of the Mullins runners I'd be most likely to chance Bunting, who was strong in the market for Cheltenham but disappointed over a trip which I always suspected would be too far. The drop to two miles will suit and off 139 he's well treated, but a horse many thought was the best handicapped in Britain at the beginning of the season DYSART ENOS gets the vote at double figure odds for Fergal O'Brien. She was backed like defeat was out of the question in the Greatwood at Cheltenham earlier in the year but was no match for Burdett Road, who has taken his form to new heights this season. That now looks a fair piece of form and although she has disappointed since, like Valgrand this return to quick ground could revitalise her.

She was a very smart novice and I think these are her optimum conditions, so while it is a bit of David vs Goliath backing O'Brien against Mullins, I like her chances of at least hitting the frame against this artificially short priced favourite.