3:35 Ayr Tips

Kim Roque for Joseph O'Brien appears likely to have some additional improvement to add to his already good form. This trip should be very suitable, and the going should also be fine. JJ Slevin travels from Ireland to ride, and a very big run is expected on Saturday.

King Of Answers looks the standout choice here following a strong staying performance at Cheltenham in the NH Novices’ Chase. He finished well from off the pace that day, staying on strongly but just failing to reel in Holloway Queen, who had the run of the race from the front. It was a performance that suggested plenty of stamina and further improvement over staying trips. That impression is backed up by his profile ??' he’s already won on heavy ground over 2m7½f and looked particularly effective when stepped up to 3m6f last time. The form has some substance too, with the third, One Big Bang, since finishing sixth in the Irish National, while King Of Answers was 11 lengths clear of him at Cheltenham. A 3 lb rise in the weights looks fair given the strength of that run, and with conditions and trip to suit, he appears well placed. If producing a similar staying effort here, he should prove hard to beat.

With the Mark Walford yard in such fine form (a treble on Thursday) there is every reason to suggest that Chasingouttheblues can also rack up a treble. My selection has only had 7 chase starts, winning the last twice making it three wins from his last four starts. Here only 4 lbs higher than 27 days ago and off a nice racing weight I'm hopeful he can stay this marathon trip.

The 7yo has progressed nicely in this campaign, form 1201. The form of his narrow defeat three starts back has been boosted. He looked good when winning a £57K Grade 3 handicap when last seen. He jumped and travelled well, was asked to quicken after the second last, and was never in trouble when sprinting through the line ??' that form has been boosted since. He is only slightly higher in the weights now and looks like there’s plenty left in the tank. An attractive mark and a recent two-month break should have him set for a big run in this £112K Scottish Grand National Chase.

Won well. Latest in the Dublin National and should stay this extra distance. Conditions ideal here and this has been the plan all year. Excellent value here.

Finished third behind Isaac Des Obeaux in the Midlands Grand National last month but races off the same mark here while the former carries a penalty. Also has form in this race after finishing third two years ago and is four pounds lower in the weights today. Will have no issue with the trip or ground. Might get outpaced but likely to be staying on one-paced at the finish. Can outrun current odds.

Has been in good form over fences, with 2 wins from the last 4 starts, including the latest outing. This trip is a bit of an unknown, but holds an each-way chance of staying the distance.

KATATE DORI could single-handedly grab this year's Scottish National. It is possible the form of Sam Thomas's chaser was slightly over-valued at Kempton in February 2025, where the then 7-y-o put 15-lengths back to his nearest pursuer at the line. Regardless, that was the third of three very quick consecutive runs for a staying chaser. After a hurdles warm-up, the selection ran well in both the Hennessey in November, and at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. A lesser effort back at Kempton next time can be forgiven. No horse has finished at the Cheltenham Festival and gone on to win this for 8-years and so coming here fresh is an advantage.

On his best hurdle form, he has an excellent chance of playing a hand in this. He keeps coming down the handicap, and this sort of trip could well bring improvement out in him. A classy hurdler with a Grade 2 win over Stay Away Faye, then a runner-up spot behind Apples Away were excellent form. Although he has not pulled up any trees chasing, the fact he is up in trip, gets a decent-sized field, is down 9 lb from the start of his career, and the stable is in good form means he can outrun his odds.

6lbs lower than when 3rd in this race last year behind a Mullins pair and he's not been given a tough time this season with just 3 starts. Yard opt for first time blinkers replacing his usual cheekpieces and whilst the stable jockey has picked Katate Dori I think Our Power's proven course form can see him run well. There's not much pace in the race which might favour those who are ridden forward. Only question mark is the forecast rain and he's entered at Sandown should conditions turn heavy.