Newsboy's Scottish Grand National Tips and Guide to Saturday's ITV Races
A compelling mix of top-class jumps and Flat action dominates the television schedule this weekend, with the prestigious Scottish Grand National from Ayr complementing a fascinating card at Newbury. The spotlight shines brightly on these premier racing events, offering enthusiasts a thrilling day of competition and potential upsets.
Montregard Aims for Scottish Grand National Glory
Take a close look at MONTREGARD (3.35), who can deliver more big-race success for owner JP McManus on Coral Scottish Grand National day. Just a week after securing his fourth Grand National triumph with I Am Maximus at Aintree, the billionaire pins his hopes of a breakthrough victory in the Ayr feature on the Tom Lacey-trained chaser.
The seven-year-old son of Joshua Tree has been quietly progressive during his second season over fences. He has won three of his five starts since being fitted with a visor, and last time out in February, he stepped up in class to win the Grade 3 Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot in authoritative fashion over 3m.
The 4m trip remains the unknown factor for Montregard, as it will be for most of the 21-runner field. However, the selection's half-brother Protektorat has produced his best performances at beyond 3m, providing solid grounds for optimism about his stamina and chances.
Key Contenders at Newbury
ZAVATERI (2.00, NB) can make his class count and keep himself on track for a tilt at the 2,000 Guineas with victory at Newbury today. By winning four times and finishing fourth in the Dewhurst Stakes, he is the form horse in the Watership Down Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes.
The son of Without Parole's defeat of subsequent Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Gstaad in the National Stakes is particularly compelling. He also deserves credit for his Dewhurst effort next time, when he became unbalanced in the closing stages yet still finished ahead of Thursday's Craven winner Oxagon.
In the 1,000 Guineas trial, the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, PRINCESS PETROL (1.25) can show plenty of gas back over 7f at an each-way price. Ed Walker's filly, an impressive winner at Ascot last summer, ran well to go down by a neck in the Sweet Solera Stakes in August and was not disgraced when trying 1m on soft ground in a Longchamp Group 2.
The nine-year-old AL AASY (2.35) can roll back the years in the race best known as the John Porter Stakes. The veteran won the prize in 2021, and last season, he took his stakes successes to ten with a three-length victory in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood.
Additional Selections and Insights
BACK IN BLACK (3.10) can continue his climb up the handicap rankings by capturing the Spring Cup on his first run as a gelding. Back at Ayr, Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden could be in for a productive day, notably with TUTTI QUANTI (2.20).
The selection was a supplementary entry for the Champion Hurdle on the strength of a runaway win in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury but was never in the hunt. He should be back home in handicap company for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, where half the field are wrong at the weights.
SANS BRUIT (1.10) fell short of pulling off a hat-trick of wins in the Red Rum Chase last weekend yet still ran well to finish fourth and can take advantage of running off a 2lb lower mark. BIG JOHN WAYNE (1.45) showed true grit to score with a bit in hand at Hexham last time, despite having reportedly bled from the nose, and can confirm that promise in the Novices' Champion Handicap Chase.
First-time blinkers can help HOLLY HARTINGO (2.55) put her best foot forward in the Mares' Handicap Hurdle, adding another layer of intrigue to an already action-packed day of racing.
