Newbury & Ayr - Saturday 18th April

It's Scottish National day but I'll be at Newbury for the Spring Trials. 2 very contrasting ground conditions as it's heavy in West Scotland and Good to Firm in Berkshire. 

Newbury 15:10, Spring Cup

Classic 22/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)
Boyfriend 18/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

Back In Black has obvious claims considering he won here on seasonal debut last year but has been well found in the market whilst Fifth Column is a danger to all if bouncing back from a poor Autumn campaign. It may pay to side with Richard Hannon's outsiders here. Classic was 3rd in this last season and is now better off at the weights with the 2 who finished in front of him that day. Boyfriend finished 2nd to subsequent Hunt Cup winner My Cloud over course and distance on seasonal debut last year and runs off a light weight. 

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Ayr 15:35, Scottish Grand National

King Of Answers 13/2, 2pts each-way (5 places)
Famous Bridge 28/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

The Scottish National field has cut up a little bit with the softening ground but it's still an open renewal. King Of Answers ran a cracker to finish 2nd at Cheltenham on ground that may have been quick enough. There's been a nice gap this year from that meeting and he arrives here off a 39 day break. The ground and trip hold no fears for connections who know what it takes to win this race. At bigger odds Famous Bridge could go well. He's tumbled down the weights after a poor season but he's a soft ground expect to won last year's Grand National Trial at Haydock. The stable couldn't be in better form and a return to form isn't out of the question.