Scottish Grand National Festival predictions: Ireland can end wait for Scottish National success

Enda McElhinney

Racing Post

Fergal O'Brien has a lively contender to end Ireland's long wait for a Scottish Grand National victory

The Scottish Grand National meeting always features stacks of competitive handicaps and Saturday’s card is no different.

The racing is ultra-competitive and there is undoubtedly value for punters to find at Ayr. We have provided a bet in the feature Scottish National along with the Scottish Champion Hurdle and handicap chase that opens the ITV coverage.

Scotty Brand Handicap Chase - Ayr 1.15 - April 20th

Key Talking Points: Which trainer will rise to the occasion?

Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins are locked in an engaging battle for the British trainers’ title that seems to be going right to the wire.

Skelton saddles Pembroke in this handicap chase, with Nicholls and Mullins also responsible for strong contenders in Sans Bruit and Uncle Phil in a competitive heat. Every penny counts in the fight for top laurels.

Scotty Brand Handicap Chase Best Bet: Persian Time @ 11/2

For all the aforementioned horses are afforded plenty of respect, it is easy to imagine events panning out favourably for Persian Time given the likely strong pace on offer.

Persian Time is a strong stayer at two miles and showed a good attitude to grind out the win at Kempton over 2m2f last month after being headed.

The bottomweight notched that success at a time when Nicky Henderson’s horses were out of a form and a stronger effort is anticipated off 3lb higher. Another plus is the fact he has been aimed at this decent pot .

Scottish Champion Hurdle - Ayr 2.25 - April 20th

Key Talking Points: Will L’Eau Du Sud finally get his big handicap?

L’Eau Du Sud has been desperately unlucky to bump into seriously well-handicapped sorts Iberico Lord and Absurde the last twice. He finished well clear of the third in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury before lightning struck twice in Cheltenham’s County Hurdle. He richly deserves one, albeit a weights rise without winning is never ideal.

Florida Dreams (right) on his way to victory at Aintree last year, a race which stands him in good stead for Saturday's Scottish Champion Hurdle

Scottish Champion Hurdle Best Bet: Florida Dreams @ 12/1

Florida Dreams’s struggles over hurdles this season must be a surprise to his connections, but in fairness the ground has been bad all winter. He was super impressive when landing a slowly run Aintree Grade 2 bumper on a sound surface almost a year ago, showcasing a potent turn of foot, and the speed test of a Scottish Champion Hurdle should suit him.

He races off just 128 and could be a handicap blot on his first try in such a race and, with drying conditions in his favour, he should give punters a good run for their money assuming a 77-day break has freshened him up.

Scottish Grand National - Ayr 3.35 - April 20th

Key Talking Points: Can Ireland finally get involved?

Irish-trained runners are without a Scottish National success in 155 years. However, they would seldom have had a stronger challenge.

Willie Mullins saddles six runners in his title pursuit and there are two other Irish raiders to strengthen their hand further. The Brits may be up against it to keep this historic race at home.

Scottish Grand National Best Bet: Autonomous Cloud @ 20/1

Autonomous Cloud stands out as a progressive staying chaser capable of bagging a major prize and Scottish National day may belong to him.

The Fergal O’Brien-trained eight-year-old was strongly fancied for the Welsh National but bled at Chepstow. However, he atoned for that when returning from a few months off in the Midlands National, proving he stays extreme distances when jumping the last right in contention.

He faded after that, but has been dropped 1lb and the hope is the run would have brought this ground-versatile performer forward. It has been a light enough campaign for him.