4m (3m7f176y) Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
Christian Williams seems to hold all the aces in this year’s running of the Scottish National with the top two in the market, KITTY’S LIGHT and Win My Wings both having cracking chances. I was quite keen on the latter, who impressed me when winning the Eider Chase last month, however she looks like she had a hard race there and a rise of 8lbs might just be enough to catch her out despite the booking of a 7lbs claimer.
Instead Kitty’s Light looks to have been laid out for this and I think the current odds of 13/2 still represent value in a race that doesn’t look as classy as previous years with its rearranged slot coming before the main Grand National next weekend.
Kitty’s Light is yet to win this season, but was desperately unlucky not to win the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last year. He is only 4lbs higher here and warmed-up with close to a career best run last-time out when just failing to catch a well-handicapped stablemate. Whilst no six-year-old has won this contest in the last twenty years, Kitty’s Light has plenty of experience and is the only horse in the race to have placed in open company off level-weights. He is yet to face the four-mile trip, but he looks like he will relish it on good ground.
Novices have won 7/9 last runnings of this race and there were a couple that caught the eye, but none more so than MAJOR DUNDEE for the in-form Alan King. Major Dundee has just had the three starts over fences, which is clearly a negative, but he has improved for each one of his starts and just lost his unbeaten record last time out against what could be a decent sort from the Venetia Williams yard.
Major Dundee has shaped like a stamina test would suit him down to the ground and he has looked an assured jumper during his short chasing career. The going conditions should hold no fears and he will be wearing the Late Sir Trevor Hemmings colours who saw his silks carried to victory by Vicente in 2016 and 2017.
Alan King trained another seven-year-old in Godsmejudge to win this several years ago and he might have another unexposed sort in the making with Major Dundee who looks the pick off those towards the bottom of the handicap on a mark of 132.
1pt win Kitty’s Light @13/2, 15:35 Saturday, Ayr
1pt win Major Dundee @12/1, 15:35 Saturday, Ayr