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Saturday’s Scottish Grand National card at Ayr begins at 13:15 with the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase, which is a Class 1 affair run over two miles.
Skelton horse popular in the early betting
Dan Skelton horses are becoming more and more popular in handicap races, as the trainer continues to fire in the winners, and he once again has another well fancied one here.
Frere D’Armes rates as a rather warm favourite in the early betting. The six-year-old won with plenty in hand at Kempton on chase debut back in November of last year, before taking a big step forward by winning at Newbury despite an 8lb ride. After 128 days off, and up another 8lb in the handicap, the gelding returned to finish second to Black Gerry at Ascot earlier this month, form that gives him a big chance here. He should strip fitter and thus merits plenty of respect. Arguably the one to beat on form.
Return Ticket is a last-time-out winner, who can’t be ruled out, though that ten-year-old doesn’t have a habit of winning back-to-back, while he’s up 9lb and in better company.
If a solid each-way bet is your sort of thing, then look no further than Hasankey, who arrives here off the back of a commendable effort the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree. He made an early blunder over the tricky national fences, and having never got himself into the ideal racing position on that occasion, the seven-year-old was one of very few to stay on from the back.
That race had more depth to it than this, so don’t be surprised if this consistent sort, who has won three and placed four times in 15 runs over fences, makes his presence felt. After all, his trainer has a pleasing record at Ayr in recent times, winning with two and placing with two of his eight runners at the Scottish venue.
Best Bet: Hasankey each-way @ 8/1
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