THE QUEEN’S FORTH BRIDGE GOES FOR HILLHOUSE QUARRY CHASE

IT’S Day One of the £715,000 Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse today (Friday) with the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase, Listed race the feature contest of the afternoon.

A field of 15 runners go to post in the £50,000 race with champion trainer Nicky Henderson saddling the top two in the weights – Gold Present and River Wylde ridden by James Bowen and Nico de Boinville respectively.

Charlie Longsdon sends Forth Bridge, owned by The Queen, for a crack at the prize and this horse won a Class 2 Chase at Kempton last time out and Aidan Coleman takes the ride. Value At Risk, the winner of the race last year is one of two Dan Skelton runners along with Born Survivor who will be ridden by Harry Skelton with Bridget Andrews on the other.

The Smart Money’s On Coral Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle with a prize fund of £30,000 sees champion jockey Richard Johnson ride top weight Vivant for Tom Laceywhile Nicky Richards sends Derriana Spirit the mount of Sean Quinlan.

The 28 strong field for Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National was also confirmed with Beware The Bear, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Jerry McGrath carrying top weight after his success in the Ultima Chase and quoted at 9-1 by sponsors Coral.

Lucinda Russell’s Big River is 8-1 joint favourite along with Dingo Dollar from the Alan King yard while Geronimo trained by Sandy Thomson and ridden by Rachael McDonald is the other Scottish trained runner.

Coral betting  -8 Dingo Dollar, Big River, 9 Beware The Bear, 10 Crosshue Boy, Vintage Clouds, 14 Cloth Cap, Geronimo, 16 Crosspark, Doing Fine, Impulsive Star, 18 Carole’s Destrier, 20 Blue Flight, Brian Boranha, Chic Name, Chidswell, 22 Cogry, 25 Mysteree, Rathlin Rose, Skipthecuddles, 28 Arthur’s Gift, Taking Risks, 33 Acdc, Big Infantry, 40 Van Gogh Du Granit, 50 Beau De Brizais, Kingswell Theatre, Morney Wing, Sizing Codelco,

Issued by Iain Ferguson on behalf of Ayr Racecourse. For further information please contact Iain Ferguson on 01292-294972 or 07795-565691.