 |
|
|
|
|
Scottish Grand National - Sat April 17th 2010 |
Cheltenham Winners Set for Coral Scottish Grand National
12/04/10
Halcon Genelardais, runner up to 2008 winner Iris De Balme, heads the weights at the five day stage for Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National.
 |
The Alan King trained horse is one of 40 entries including last year's runner up Gone To Lunch and two recent Cheltenham winners - Poker De Sivola (National Hunt Chase) and Chief Dan George (William Hill Trophy ).
Two notable absentees are Denman because of the ground and the forecast of a dry, warm and windy week and the Lucinda Russell trained Silver By Nature who is out for the season after chipping a bone on the back of his knee on the gallops.
Denman's trainer Paul Nicholls will be represented by Meanus Dandy while Scottish hopes rest with Merigo trained in Dumfriesshire by Andrew Parker.
 |
Last year 's winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has Razor Royale as a likely runner while David Pipe has Faasel entered and Irish entries include ther Tony Martin trained pair Lochan Lacha and Hold The Pin and Montero from the Dessie Hughes yard.
Leading jockeys likely to have rides include Tony McCoy, Barry Geraghty, Graham Lee, Robert Thornton and Timmy Murphy.
Clerk of the Course Hazel Peplinski said the going is currently good, good to soft in places and watering will take place.
Poker De Sivola is the 6-1 favourite with the sponsor for Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National, following the latest entry stage for the Ayr showpiece. Meanus Dandy is next in the betting at 7-1, ahead of Chief Dan George at 8-1. Theatrical Moment, the possible mount of Grand National hero AP McCoy, is 14-1 with Coral.
 |
“Although we would have been delighted to see Denman take his chance, we are still left with a high class entry for the Coral Scottish Grand National, headed by the admirable Halcon Genelardais, and including two recent Cheltenham winners in Chief Dan George and Poker De Sivola.
“As a result, Saturday’s race is sure to be a competitive and exciting renewal, although after the hammering we took from Tony McCoy on Saturday, we’ll be hoping the champ doesn’t make it back-to-back National wins on board Theatrical Moment!” said Coral’s David Stevens.
**Coral Scottish Grand National - sponsor's betting
6-1 Poker De Sivola, 7-1 Meanus Dandy, 8-1 Chief Dan George, 12-1 Faasel, Lochan Lacha, 14-1 Hold The Pin, Killyglen, Theatrical Moment, 16-1 Dom D’Orgeval, Gone To Lunch, Himalayan Trail, Lothian Falcon, Out The Black, Razor Royale, 20-1 Chiaro, Halcon Genelardais, Merigo, Montero, Scots Dragoon, Superior Wisdom, 25-1 Air Force One, Boychuk, Cleni Boy, Gidam Gidam, Ma Yahab, Mobaasher, Present M’Lord, That’s Rhythm, 33-1 Bar
Meanwhile advance ticket sales for Saturday have hit an all time high and Ayr Racecourse Marketing Manager Lindsey Smith commented : “With good weather forecast and advance sales so good it looks certain we will have a bumper crowd.”
For further information call 01292-264179 or go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk
