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FOR the first time in many a year the Scottish Grand National takes place before the Aintree Grand National, and as a result, the strength and depth of the field is slightly diminished.

The Ayr 3.35 still looks a hugely competitive event and is one in which novices have always thrived through the years, with the view that many have yet to show their full talent and are therefore well handicapped.

Of the younger horses in that category this year are Major Dundee, Stormy Judge and Ask A Honey Bee. Of that trio, the first named looks extremely interesting as he has been campaigned very lightly this season with a view to protecting his rating (132) for this particular contest.

Yet to test himself over a trip this far (an extended four miles) his last run over an extended three miles at Newbury was a lovely warm-up for this as it came following an 85-day break, and after travelling through the race like the best horse in the field he just came to the end of his tether in the last furlong and a half as though he just needed the run to put an edge on him.

I make the youngster the biggest danger to my selection, THE WOLF (nb). This talented eight-year-old comes with risks attached as he is liable to clout the odd fence, but he has real engine inside. His stand out run this season came in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh where he saw out the neat four miles when closing down Captain Cattistock to three quarters of a length down the home stretch, despite making three bad mistakes.

Still, he jumped better on that good ground and despite being raised 2lbs for that run I expect him to be mowing down his rivals on the long run for home here.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle (a limited handicap) at 2.25 looks very competitive and County Hurdle fourth West Cork looks sure to go off favourite, but all of his best form has come following a break, and it could pay to oppose him with last year’s second ANNA BUNINA. The mare is fully 3lbs lower than last year and has every chance of reversing that form with Milkwood who could once again emerge as her main danger.

Elsewhere on the card, IL RIDOTO should relish the return to a sound surface in the Future Champion Novices Chase due off at 3.00. The Paul Nicholls charge simply got stuck in the mud in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and these conditions will suit him so much more. The five-year-old is taken to bounce back here and get the better of both the prolific Minella Drama and lightly raced eight-year-old Do Your Job.

And with the Mark Walford stable on fire at the moment, the York-based handler can land the finale bumper at 5.15 with MAGIC WAVE. His debut run at Doncaster last month was hugely encouraging and he should take another step forward here. 

At Newbury, the ladies take centre stage and the Grade Two mares novice hurdle at 2.45 can go to the 20/1 shot MARSH WREN. She shaped like much the best horse in the race in a hot little Listed race last time out, when clearly not getting home over three miles. This drop in trip on better ground looks made to measure and she could be too strong back over this trip for the likes of the unbeaten Corey’s Courage and impressive Wincanton winner Sabrina.

Better ground is also the preserve of FANZIO and back down to his last winning mark of 130, Richard Hobson’s charge looks sure to go well in the two-mile handicap chase at 3.20, while the Veterans Handicap Chase at 2.10 looks wide open, but a chance is taken with the VIVAS.

The 11-year-old’s jumping can sometimes fall apart under pressure, but a repeat of his three-length second to Some Chaos at Chepstow in October off a mark of 122 would be good enough to throw him in at the sharp end here off exactly the same rating.

The aforementioned Welsh venue also hosts a jumps meeting this afternoon and the best bet on the card could be the lightly raced WILDFIRE WARRIOR (nap) in the staying handicap chase at 1.42. This will be only his third chase start of his career and only the ninth race in total under rules. He was a real eye catcher last time out at Doncaster behind The Unit and the step up trip looks sure to help him here.

Later on, ISLE OF ARON (2.17) and BENITO (2.52) both have solid each-way claims in their respective races, while TRUMPS BENEFIT could be the call in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at 3.27.

The all-weather takes pride of place this weekend on the level with meetings at Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton, and at the Surrey venue, one of the best bets of the day is relative outsider MOKAATIL in the feature five furlong handicap due off at 3.40.

The selection has been disappointing on turf since landing the Epsom Dash in 2021 off a rating of 83, but he is now back down to exactly the same handicap mark here and ran well over six furlongs at Doncaster on Sunday.

Under the lights at Wolverhampton, CITY ESCAPE can finally get off the mark at the 24th time of asking in his career when he contests the selling handicap at 6.30, while MAN OF RIDDLES may follow up his Southwell victory over Prince Abu by landing the lucky last over an extended two miles at 8.30.