With no tip from Nicola it's 2 old favourites for me

The Scottish Grand National on a Sunday? What would the Kirk say? Perhaps this once the horse racers will be forgiven as avoiding a clash with Prince Philip's funeral provides a valid excuse for breaking the Sabbath.

In the glory days of Channel 4 covering the racing, you would find Alex Salmond and Robin Cook giving their well informed opinions on the big race as guests on the Morning Line, jousting in a friendlyish manner with John McCrirrick. Sadly no more - Cook and McCririck have died and Alex Salmond has .... well best not go there.

Nicola Sturgeon is an ever-present on Scottish TV but I am pretty sure that even she would admit to not being an expert on the form and going at Ayr.

So in the absence of a tip from the First Minister I will just have to go in again on 2 horses I have followed all season-

Aye Right - trained by the admirable Harriet Graham, and too consistent for his own good. Keeps running well in big races without winning and is consequently punished by the handicapper. Aye Right deserves to win this but I fear the weight and the firmer going will be against him and ensure he is denied victory again. 8/1 still seems a reasonable each way price though.

The Dutchman - I know less about his trainer, Tristan Davidson (not to be confused with Twiston-Davies) but have heard some good reports from shrewd judges as to his abilities (33% strike rate in chases in the last 12 months, albeit from low numbers). Twice I have backed The Dutchman at big odds in staying chases and twice he lost his jockey when going well. He is one of those horses who jumps most fences fine and then throws in a really bad one. Again I fear the going may be against him but at the 50/1 available last night he has to be worth a small wager.

Finally I may be, sort of, cashing out on the FA Cup. Before the 3rd round I backed Leicester at 12/1 each way (1-2 half the odds). They face Southampton in the second semi-final this afternoon, and are firm favourites to make the final. However my bottle has gone when it comes to soccer (as Pinnacle and Bet365 call it) so I will be having a Rod (Laver) on Southampton to qualify for peace of mind.


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