13:10 Ayr

Wednesday 14 November 2018

All12:0512:3513:1013:4014:1514:4515:2015:50

Book Now For The Coral Scottish Grand National Maiden Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 5m 30.00s

Al Destoor^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: J Candlish| OR: 113

5/1

Placed in three of previous seven hurdles races without success. In consistent form this summer on the flat placing in last four races. Appreciates soft ground and has to be considered a leading player here with fitness assured.

Form: 33975/2-

Big Bad Dream²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans

12/1

Placed in three of four bumpers including one here (second of three, 2m heavy). Unraced dam related to hurdle winners so should appreciate obstacles and shaped as if longer trips would also help so could go well here.

Form: 35/23-

Blaydon^p1⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

50/1

Well beaten in two bumpers although he did manage a remote third of six to pick up some place money on debut. Beaten out of sight on hurdles bow at Perth when fourth of five and although this may be easier he is hard to fancy.

Form: 37-4

Elvis Mail^h²⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander

66/1

Followed two fourths with a third of three here in final bumper race last term. Long term future was always likely to be over hurdles but not seen enough to recommend here.

Form: 443-

Fully Booked¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson

33/1

Beaten 34L into sixth of eight in a 2m bumper here just 11 days ago. Half-brother to smart hurdler/chaser Three Musketeers so this may suit better but likely need more time.

Form: 6

Lord Springfield²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

3/1

Won an Irish point-to-point in lone start in that sphere and then bought by current connections for €42,000. Makes rules debut here for trainer/jockey prolific at this venue and has to be considered a leading contender.

Form: 1-

Sam's Adventure⁶⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| C

8/11

Looked a smart prospect winning three of four bumpers and beaten a short head in the other in 2016/17 but not seen since January 2017. Fitness obviously a doubt but form hugely persuasive so may prove worth the risk.

Form: 1121/

Vintage Glen²⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

40/1

Beaten 31L and 23L in two bumpers last season. Related to smart staying chaser Vintage Clouds so future likely in similar races but hoping to see signs now over further and hurdles.

Form: 54-

Bobbie The Dazzler¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: L Lennon

16/1

Made the frame for the first time under rules (fifth start) when outrunning 66/1 odds to be third over C&D last month. Further step up needed to improve on that but obvious place claims.

Form: 509673

Forecasts

Sam's Adventure (8/11), Lord Springfield (3/1), Al Destoor (5/1), Big Bad Dream (12/1), Bobbie The Dazzler (16/1), Fully Booked (33/1), Vintage Glen (40/1), Blaydon (50/1), Elvis Mail (66/1)

SAM'S ADVENTURE was very smart in bumpers and would be a confident selection had he not missed all of last season but he showed enough to merit taking a chance on him even taking that into account. Lord Springfield looked useful in winning his lone point-to-point and will surely be up to winning hurdle races sooner rather than later. Al Destoor has the best form over hurdles and arrives here race fit after some sound efforts on the flat.