Scottish Grand National tips: Sky Sports expert Alex Hammond reveals who to bet on at Ayr
THE Scottish Grand National takes place on Saturday - but who should you back?
Sky Sports pundit Alex Hammond has revealed her selections for the race.
She fancies Gold Present - if it runs - for an each-way bet but also likes the look of Vicente.
“There are a few horses in this that missed the Grand National for one reason or another and that could be a blessing,” she told Sporting Life.
“The Paul Nicholls-trained Vicente didn’t run at Aintree as the ground was too testing for him and Sue Smith’s Vintage Clouds was one of the reserves, but missed the cut despite the non-runners.
“Vicente’s form speaks for itself as he comes here having won this race for the past two years. The late arrival of spring has sprung at just the right time for this horse who comes into his own on better ground. He has only run three times since winning this last year and has a favourite’s chance.
“Vintage Clouds shouldn’t mind the ground either as he has form on a variety of goings. He needs to step up on his performance in this last year (he was seventh), but he has improved this season and he is most likely just reaching his peak at the age of eight.
“I’m a fan of Daklondike, but I’m concerned that the ground is drying out too much for David Pipe’s charge, you can’t win ‘em all.
“Now given the drying conditions, I’ll definitely be backing Gold Present if Nicky Henderson’s horse lines up. I say that, because I’ve tipped him twice now and he didn’t run on either occasion, most recently in the Grand National.
“The writing was on the wall for Aintree though as the rain continued to fall, but now the sun is shining, this could be his time. He's a horse Henderson likes a lot and I feel the same. He's a proper chaser and jumps well and at 14/1 with Sky Bet I’ll be on each-way.”