Sport

Weekend betting tips: Yes Tom each-way in Scottish Grand National

Our tipster Karl Hedley tells you where to put your money this weekend

SATURDAY

NEWBURY
2-20 DUBAI DUTY FREE STAKES (GROUP 3) – 7 FURLONGS

Al Thakhira has the best form on offer having won the Rockfel last Autumn. She was smart enough to win on her debut for Marco Botti at Yarmouth and followed that up with a classy display at Newmarket when seeing off the likes of Blockade and the reopposing Valonia.

The travelling may well have taken it’s toll on her when she was sent across for the Breeders Cup juvenile. She comes here fresh and having had all Winter to recover, it will be of little surprise to see her in the mix.

Cape Factor was well enough forward to win first time out last year and provided she has trained on the classy daughter of Oratorio could prove the biggest threat. She wont mind any further rain and bids to make it five wins from just six career starts.

Coral Mist won her two most recent races for Charlie Hills including the Firth Of Clyde Stakes at Ayr during the Gold Cup Meeting. On a line through Valonia she still has something to find in order to beat Al Thakhira.

Joyeuse is untested over this extra furlong whilst Dutch Courage may just need this and is best watched. Al Thakhira is partnered by Frankie Dettori for the first time this afternoon and the combination should prove tough to beat.

Put your money on: Al Thakhira

3-30 BERRY BROS AND RUDD MAGNUM SPRING CUP (H’CAP) – 1 MILE

Brownsea Brink made a pleasing seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last month when he was only just denied by the improving Purcell. That individual has went on to win again so the form looks rock solid. Being a four year old son of Cadeaux Genereux the selection should have no issues with the surface, although his chances would increase with any further drying out of the ground. He is a multiple winner at this distance having won three decent handicaps on the bounce last year.

So Beloved could well prove the biggest threat to Brownsea Brink. Roger Charlton has started the season in excellent form and the booking of Oisin Murphy certainly catches the eye. So Beloved will not mind any rain as he has won on soft ground at Salisbury in the past.

Ocean Tempest won the Lincoln with any amount in hand. That could have purely been down to race fitness following a stint in Dubai. He shall find things much tougher this afternoon and shall do well to defy topweight. Gabrial’s Kaka made his seasonal reappearance in that same race and he should have blown away any cobwebs. He will certainly come on for that run and can reverse the form the Ocean Tempest. Brownsea Brink is a likeably type who will appreciate this return to his favoured trip. Ryan Moore rides for the first time today and they have to be very high on the shortlist.

Put your money on: Brownsea Brink

AYR
3-50 CORAL SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE – 4 M 110YDS

Yes Tom caused something of a shock when landing a valuable chase at Down Royal on St Patrick’s Day. He was the rank outsider in a five runner field when he was settled out the back by Robbie Power.

He travelled with supreme fluency that day and readily picked off the opposition including the likes of Seabass and Bog Warrior.

This is a big step up in trip for the nine year old, but the way he won last time suggested that marathon staying trips could be the making of him.

Mendip Express is far from exposed and comes here on the back of a two month break. He won three races in succession before disappointing at Newbury last time.

Harry Fry is likely to have him spot on for this stamina sapping contest and he looks a worthy opponent. Lie Forrit has a cult following and shall once again prove popular with punters. He returned to the winner’s enclosure at Kelso but will find life much tougher against his twenty nine rivals this afternoon.

Tidal Bay had a tough race in the Grand National last week and better value may lie elsewhere. Yes Tom has an excellent track record at Ayr and having Paul Carberry on board for the first time can enhance his chances.

Together the combination have the potential to take this valuable prize back across the Irish Sea.

Put your money on: Yes Tom

4-25 AYRSHIRE HOSPICE MAKING TODAY MATTER H’CAP HURDLE – 2 M 5 F 110YDS

Fine Rightly must know every blade of grass on this track having raced here five times in the past. He is a dual course winner who gets every yard of the trip. Stuart Crawford very rarely leaves Scotland without a winner or two when he brings them over from his County Antrim base and this six year old should still have further improvement in him.

Brother Du Berlais was beaten six lengths on his British Debut for Paul Nicholls. He will have learned plenty from that experience and looks the most obvious danger to the selection.

Wyse Hill Teabags won for the first time in almost three years last time out and he may not appreciate this dramatic drop back in trip. The Alan King yard have had an awful year and Vendor may not improve things for them this afternoon. He has been bitterly disappointing and expensive to follow and is once again overlooked.

Fine Rightly won his last race by seven lengths and looks a decent type. He should go very close to getting a third win at this track.

Put your money on: Fine Rightly