NOT A CHANCE IN SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL

It's another Grand National this weekend with the Scottish Grand National rescheduled for Sunday. That is to pay respect to the Duke Of Edinburgh whose funeral takes place this afternoon.

There are 23 declared runners though a maximum of 30 runners are allowed. Nevertheless, this is a prestigious prize and a great race to watch come Sunday afternoon.

Alan King mentioned this race as the logical target for Notachance following his success in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January. Notachance is a hard horse for the handicapper to fully assess as he idles badly when in front. He won easily at Bangor On Dee in November before been heavily backed to win the Classic Chase. At Warwick he jumped well just behind the leaders before working his way to the front much too soon turning into the long finishing straight. Achilles came out of the pack to challenge with both he and Notachance pulling clear.

Ignore the run of Notachance at Haydock in the Grand National trial as he hurt his foot and finished badly lame. Alan King has given the horse time to recover, and he arrives at Ayr a fresh horse. This is only his eight run over fences, and he will relish going out in trip to four miles. Tom Cannon will be at pains to deliver him as late as possible in a race Alan King won with Godsmejudge back in 2013.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has been quiet in the weekend races this season. He has trained 59 winners so that is only 4 winners off his lowest tally of 63 over the past five seasons. The Scottish National is a race he has been close to winning before with several placed runners. Ballyoptic lost by a nose to Joe Farrell in 2018. Cogry was a neck behind Vincente in the 2017 version with Benbens just over two lengths back in third.

The Hollow Ginge comes into this race totally under the radar despite a cracking run in the Ladbrokes Trophy won by Cloth Cap last November at Newbury. In that race The Hollow Ginge was ridden out the back but made good progress to strongly finish 14 lengths behind Cloth Cap but just four lengths behind Ayr Right in second place hitting the line hard.

The runner up, Aye Right and third placed The Conditional both franked the form with solid runs thereafter. The Hollow Ginge wore a first-time visor at Newbury which rekindled his better form. We need to ignore his latest two runs when unseating in the Welsh National and getting pulled up in the Classic Chase at Warwick. The easier fences and good ground can help with his jumping as he is not overly big. He is 8lbs better off against Aye Right on their run in the Ladbrokes Trophy when finishing only four lengths behind Aye Right. The extra trip will suit and he carries a low weight of 10-11. At a big price The Hollow Ginge is worth backing to bounce back to his best.

Sunday Ayr - 3:35

0.5 Point Each Way Notachance 12/1 Paddy Power & Betfair SB, both paying 6 places.

0.5 Point Each Way The Hollow Ginge 33/1 Skybet paying 7 places.

Compare Odds at Ayr Sunday 15:35 Betting Odds Winner | Horse Racing | Oddschecker