Barry Hill Scottish Grand National Tips With Coral
4 minutes After 4 of his 6 Grand National Tips were placed Barry Hill is back on 'National ' duty with 4 tips for the Scottish Grand National.
The racing never seems to slow down, and today is no exception, with nine meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland. The highlight is the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Last week, I shared both short-priced and long-shot tips for the Grand National, and this week will be no different. I’ve got my eye on a few races today, which I’m excited to share with you. Enjoy today's racing!
3:35 Ayr
Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Going: Good To Soft
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ROCK MY WAY - 9/1 (WIN)
Despite being fairly short priced for a big race the one I’m really sweet on here is ROCK MY WAY, now back in the care of Joe Tizzard and very much a horse on the up.
He showed serious promise early doors, landing a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham on just his second-ever start, though things did flatten out a bit afterwards. His initial steps over fences were steady enough, but it was a change to Anthony Charlton’s yard that finally saw him break his chasing duck at Doncaster in November.
Back with Tizzard since, he’s continued to go the right way. A good second at Doncaster was followed by a cracking run in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival stepping right up in trip, he raced prominently and was still right there when making a mistake two out, but rallied gamely to chase home the very well-handicapped Haiti Couleurs.
The handicapper has only nudged him up 1lb for that run, which looks a real gift, and with him still unexposed over staying distances, Rock My Way looks primed to run a monster race and is a solid WIN bet
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SPANISH HARLEM - 11/1
After Willie Mullins’ domination of the jumps season, it’s hard not to stick with the master and there’s every chance one of his lesser-fancied runners, SPANISH HARLEM, could spring a surprise.
Admittedly, this seven-year-old has tested the patience at times, with just a single win to his name, but there are plenty of reasons to think a career-best could be on the cards here.
He hasn’t had proper decent ground for a while something he looks to need and it’s worth remembering he ran a blinder in this very race last year. Sent off one of the more fancied Mullins runners, he didn’t get the smoothest of passages on soft ground but stayed on strongly to grab sixth, having been set a lot to do.
He’s dropped a few pounds in the handicap since then and the fitting of first-time cheekpieces could just sharpen him up.
With conditions more in his favour and a bit more luck in running, Spanish Harlem could run a massive race at a decent price, tats if you get in early before the Mullins horses are backed off the board!
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WISEGUY - 25/1
WISEGUY looks a serious player here, and there’s every chance this marathon trip could be the key to unlocking even more improvement especially at 25/1!
He made a winning return over fences at Newbury earlier in the season, travelling strongly throughout despite a few scruffy jumps, and winning with a fair bit in hand. The clock backed up the visual impression too, posting an above-average timefigure, and he clearly thrived chasing a proper gallop.
A respectable effort followed in the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot, where he moved into contention stylishly before getting a little outpaced on the home turn, sticking on gamely late. Similar comments apply to his latest Cheltenham run, a tricky track and an amateur jockey combination possibly not ideal yet he still stayed on strongly to the line.
Now back on a flat, left-handed track, everything looks set for a big step forward. A slightly slower pace over this extreme trip should also help ease the pressure on his jumping, and he remains just 4lb higher than his Newbury success.
If he stays the trip, Wiseguy could take a lot of stopping and he’s one to be very excited about at a nice price.
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SNIPE - 40/1
Our final selection is a big priced one in the form of SNIPE, who may not be grabbing headlines, but he’s a dark horse who could outrun his odds in the Scottish Grand National.
Trained by Dan Skelton, Snipe has shown glimpses of promise, notably finishing third in the Challenger Staying Chase Series Final at Warwick over three miles . While his stamina for the extended four-mile trip at Ayr is untested, his pedigree suggests he could relish the marathon distance.
The good ground at Ayr should play to his strengths, and the anticipated strong pace could set the race up for a closer like Snipe. With a racing weight that offers some leeway, he’s poised to deliver a career-best performance if he handles the step up in trip.
In a race where surprises are not uncommon, Snipe represents a value each-way proposition for those looking beyond the favourites.
