The Scottish Grand National

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Saturday will see thousands of horse racing fans turn their attention to Ayr Racecourse as the Scottish Grand National draws near. As usual the biggest event in Scottish jump racing calendar has attracted a top class field of runners and riders so betting fans will be spoiled for choice when making their selections. Some of the major talking points in the lead up to the off has been the news that Denman and Chief Dan George will not now be running. Does this mean that the 2010 Scottish Grand National could be one of the most open in years? Let’s take a look at some of the fancied horses and assess their chances.

According to the online betting sites, the Ferdy Murphy trained Poker De Sivola ridden by Graham Lee is the 6/1 favourite. Ferdy Murphy has a very impressive record of training winners in this race – he triumphed with Hot Weld in 2007, Joe’s Edge in 2005 and Paris Pike in 2000. Many think he may be in luck again this year after seeing the way that Poker De Sivola won in fine style in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

Another strongly fancied runner is Meanus Dandy. Trained by Paul Nicholls, this horse looks to have the character and form to do very well on the day. Although not confirmed yet, Paddy Brennan is likely to be in the saddle.

Many racing fans will be wondering whether Theatrical Moment can do the business for trainer Jonjo O’Neill and jockey Tony McCoy. The pair triumphed with Don’t Push It in the English Grand National at Aintree last week and will be hoping that they can complete a stunning double with Theatrical Moment at Ayr. With odds of 12/1 some may think that they can come up trumps again.

Gone to Lunch (my favorite name of the bunch) is another horse that cannot be discounted, after almost winning the race last year although some pundits may feel that his inconsistent form this season is a worry.

In recent years only one top weight horse has triumphed and it remains to be seen whether trainer J Howard-Johnson’s Killyglen will be able to rise to the occasion under a big weight.

Of the rest of the field, Razor Royale, the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained winner of the Racing Post Chase looks a good each way bet at 16/1. He looks to have the class and courage to do well on the day.

A decisive factor in this race will of course be stamina as the race is run over more than four miles (!!!) and there are 27 fences to negotiate on the way to the winning post. The going is said to be good and the weather looks to be staying fine between now and the weekend.

As the Scottish Grand National Race is one of the final major dates in the UK jump season horse racing betting fans will be eagerly anticipating a highly competitive race that never fails to produce excitement and thrills galore.