McCoy looks like the one to follow at Ayr

THE Scottish Grand National meeting begins this afternoon at Ayr and Yes Tom can strike a blow for County Antrim handler Roy Wilson in the Artemis Investment Management Supporting Poppyscotland Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2011, 10:16 BST

The eight-year-old is a regular visitor to this venue and finished second to high-class novice hurdler Sprinter Sacre in a bumper at the fixture 12 months ago.

He chased home an even bigger name in Aintree hero Ballabriggs there in January, before sauntering to a 14-length success over course and distance, and he begins handicap life on a workable rating.

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Tony McCoy is an eye-catching booking and the perennial champion also gets the leg up on Bunglasha Lady in the Coral Backing Poppyscotland Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old has really hit her stride this year, racking up a quickfire brace with the minimum of fuss, and McCoy is two from two when teaming up with her trainer, Warren Greatrex.

McCoy will also have his supporters on David Pipe’s I’msingingtheblues, who could not justify favouritism in the Grand Annual but will relish the extra half-mile of the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase, and his stable companion, Sure Josie Sure, may well go close in the Tam O’Shanter Poppyscotland Handicap Hurdle, despite top weight.

Plenty of the big jumping yards are joining Pipe on the trip north and Paul Nicholls’s Tonic Mellysse should prove too strong in the West Sound Juvenile Hurdle.

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Alan King’s Mister Stickler and the Nicky Henderson-trained Larks Lad will also be fancied for the Bulmers Crisp Blend Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase and NMT Plant Handicap Hurdle, respectively.

There is also quality action on the level at Newbury and All Time bids to justify her relatively short Classic quotes in Division Two of the Robert Sangster Memorial Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The sister to Passage Of Time and Father Time is 33-1 for the 1000 Guineas and Oaks without ever seeing a racecourse and attempts to give Henry Cecil a timely boost ahead of Frankel’s reappearance tomorrow.

Thimaar conceded race experience to Al Kazeem when second best to him on his debut, but the step up to a mile-and-a-quarter can help him gain his revenge in the Dubai Duty Free Golf Club World Cup Conditions Stakes.

Chunky Diamond has had good reports ahead of the Erik Penser Bank EBF Maiden Stakes.