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IT IS THE time of the season where the dying embers of the National Hunt season come face to face with the seeds of the flat season with some cracking cards at Ayr and Newbury.

Let’s start with the big jumps race of the day, the Scottish Grand National at the West of Scotland track over four miles and the top of the market is full of young and progressive handicap chasers who we have yet to see the best of.

Many of you will look at the Kim Muir Chase from the Cheltenham Festival as the key race where Ask Brewster just lasted home and his ability to stay an extra three-quarters of a mile off a 7lbs higher mark will be the question mark here. That day, ante-post favourite San Roque came from some way off the pace to finish an eight lengths fourth and now finds himself some 8lbs better off with the winner.

There are certainly no stamina doubts about King of Answers who even found the three and three-quarter miles of the National Hunt Chase at the Festival too short when running on strongly up the hill to finish a never nearer five-and-a-half lengths second to Holloway Queen. With the ground having come in his favour, if he remains in good form, he looks hard to keep out of the frame off a 3lbs higher mark.

But much further down the weights I just about prefer the claims of Chasingtheblues and PROMONTORY (3.35).

The first named has finally found his mojo this season with wins at Catterick Bridge and Carlisle and could still be well treated off a rating of 126 and just as important, a nice racing weight to boot. However, I am not sure that he will handle the likely testing ground as well as the Irish raider and selection.

Given a very conservative ride on only his third chase start when an eye-catching never nearer second to runaway winner Rokathir at Navan, he predictably put the record straight when upped to three-and-a-half miles on soft ground at Leopardstown when battering his 12 rivals by six and a half lengths and more.

Raised some 14lbs pounds in the weights here of course asks more of the nine-year-old, but the best is still yet to come from the Emerald Isle raider and at about 25/1, his odds look a fair way too big.

The Scottish Champion Handicap Hurdle has seen the odds of favourite Tellherthename plummet in the past five days and the Skeltons could well have another big handicap plunge winner on their hands, following a hugely striking run in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Tutti Quanti found the ground in the Champion Hurdle too quick and was basically outclassed as well. His all the way win at Newbury off 138 was impressive and over this sharper track you would suppose that Harry Cobden will try to execute the same tactics, with the negative being running off a 13lbs higher mark.

However, I am willing to give SECRET SQUIRREL (2.20) another chance. He beat Kabral Du Mathan at Windsor a year ago and of course, that horse has well and truly cemented the form since. Very lightly raced since then, there was enough promise in his run in the aforementioned County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival to give him a solid each-way chance here. 

On that occasion, the Hughie Morrison-trained hurdler finished well down the field in 19th place and may well have needed the run after having every chance going down the hill for the final time. On that form you would also have to give a chance to Gibbs Island, who finished off his race well in seventh spot and is only having his 10th hurdles start here and may well be worth a saver.

At Newbury, I am looking forward to the 26-runner Spring Cup Handicap and by virtue of the size of the field, the biggest for many a year, we are bound to have a fast pace on. 

On the back of his two second places last back end, the Richard Hannon trained Stem must have solid claims as his efforts behind Crown of Oaks at Ascot and Eternal Force over the course and distance have both been cemented strongly. If he is ready to go first time out, then a mark of just 89 could underestimate him and by some way as well.

However, with cracking course form to his name, the ground in his favour and with the advantage of a run under his belt this spring, COGITATE (3.10) simply has to be the call.

A winner of his novice on his career debut over seven furlongs here on good ground, he subsequently found marks in the mid 90’s too hot to handle. Seventh of 14 to EBT’s Guard in this race last year (never nearer) and now 12lbs better off, he has solid each-way claims even if you take into account the deeper field this time around. Saffie Osbourne is going to have to charter her way through the field from the back of the pack and stall three means there is really only one side she can track the leaders, but with the extra place terms available, I think she has a solid chance of being in the first five and also a shot at the gold medal.

The Ed Walker-trained Princess Petrol could go well in the opening Fred Darling Stakes over what should be her optimum trip, but there are other fillies lining up here with greater scope and I much prefer the claims of Splish Splash and ZARAVINA (1.25). 

The former ran well in Listed company last time out, but the once raced Brian Meehan filly could well trump her. She too comes into this race with just the one run under her belt, a staying on second at Deauville. The winner went on to run a really close up fourth in the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. As long as this quicker ground doesn’t prove too fast, then the selection could be ready to make her classic mark today.

Longer term, K Sarra is the one to watch out for when she runs over further bearing, given her stout breeding.

Finally, have a second look at BRAVE EMPIRE (Thirsk, 2.47) as he is now looking outstandingly handicapped on his return to turf, while I shall also be having an interest in LEADMAN (3.23). He won first time out last term on a sound surface and is only 2lbs higher here and back down in grade after running in class two and three handicaps at the end of last season.