The name of the Wexford-based trainer Sean Doyle is not one that means much to most punters but that could change on Saturday when he saddles the well-backed Crosshue Boy (3.35) in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Now nine, this horse made a big impression when landing a novice handicap on this card last year and he looks a great bet to follow up at 11-1 in the main event.
Crosshue Boy was a regular winner last season under a claiming amateur, including at Ayr, where he beat Dingo Dollar. The runner-up is a few pounds better off but the winner looked to have a bit in hand and may have more to offer over this extra mile with Sean Flanagan up. He has been campaigned over hurdles since the turn of the year and is reported in rude health. It has been a busy season for Vintage Clouds and Beware The Bear while Big River may find the ground a bit lively. At 40-1, Arthur’s Gift is an each-way option.
1.25 Ayr Having made remarkable progress since last summer, Lillington might be able to get his sixth success of the season.
1.40 Newbury It is slightly surprising to see Young Rascal is not favourite in the early betting, for all that Defoe won this last year. Young Rascal has won here twice on similar ground and the Derby was his only defeat last year.
1.55 Ayr Kilfilum Cross ran a huge race in defeat at Cheltenham but the yard has gone quiet and the jockey has not had a winner over fences since last April. Molly The Dolly is preferred for the rampant Skelton team.
2.10 Newbury The hugely promising Dancing Vega won tidily on her only run so far and will be hard to stop if she has made the expected progress.
2.25 Ayr The seeming outsider of Nicky Henderson’s three, Brain Power has been dropped 5lb for his Champion Hurdle flop on soft ground. This surface will suit a lot better and the rest of his hurdles form makes him a big runner here.
2.40 Newbury A deflated Greenham, in the absence of Too Darn Hot, can fall to Mohaather, who has come on in leaps and bounds and landed a Group Three over course and distance in late October.
3.00 Ayr Beaten only by Dynamite Dollars since going over fences in Britain, Ballywood might be too quick for Secret Investor.
3.15 Newbury There was only one winner in the Lincoln but Ripp Orf finished well into fifth and this veteran of big-field handicaps could be sharper here, when there will hopefully be no Group One types in disguise.
Ayr 1.25 Lillington 1.55 Molly The Dolly 2.25 Brain Power 3.00 Ballywood 3.35 Crosshue Boy (nap) 4.10 Solomon Grey 4.45 Legalized 5.20 O Connell Street
Newbury 1.40 Young Rascal 2.10 Dancing Vega 2.40 Mohaather 3.15 Ripp Orf 3.50 Fox Chairman 4.25 Roseman 5.00 Pianissimo 5.35 Dream Machine (nb)
Bangor 1.45 Quiz Master 2.15 Financial Outcome 2.45 Flight To Milan 3.20 No Alarm 3.55 Malangen 4.30 Storm Wizard 5.05 Keen On 5.40 Nikap
Thirsk 2.00 Kidda 2.30 Ventura Rebel 3.05 Prestbury Park 3.40 Kings Advice 4.15 Que Amoro 4.50 Vanbrugh 5.25 Senza Limiti 5.55 Kroy
Wolverhampton 6.00 Gottardo 6.30 Zapper Cass 7.00 How Bizarre 7.30 Traveller 8.00 Rich Cummins 8.30 Armed
