Ayr Saturday

1.10 Scotty Brand Handicap Chase 2m 110yd

Six of the nine here have made the running of late and that suggests a relentless pace, which should suit a strong stayer at the trip. Matata has shown his best form when conceding weight in handicaps and could outrun big odds with the race likely run to suit.

He did not adapt at all to the Aintree fences in the Topham last time, but wins under big weights at Cheltenham and Windsor in the last year or so show that he’s not to be underestimated and that the harder they go in front, the better he will travel.

He does need to bounce back to form, but is overpriced at around 16/1.

1.45 CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase 3m 20yd

Gamesters Guy has been held back by his jumping since winning a match at Doncaster and he can’t be a confident selection, but I have little doubt that he’s better than he’s shown so far over fences.

He travelled as well as anything tackling this trip at Windsor in January, but mistakes at the last two fences compromised his finishing effort, and he also made mistakes when beaten by Ruby Island at Haydock last time.

He should be ideally suited by an easy three miles and the handicapper has given him a chance having dropped him 3lb since Windsor, so he’s worth a small investment at big odds in a race where few can be ruled out.

2.20 Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

Tellherthename is not the typical Skelton handicap plot, having run four times in Grade 1 company for previous yards, but he gives the impression that he could be well treated and didn’t get a chance to show that when held up in a falsely-run County Hurdle on debut for the Skelton stable at Cheltenham.

Tellherthename ran on late at Cheltenham, but was too far off the pace to make an impact and is likely to have derived some benefit from that run, having been off since a satisfactory chase debut at Carlisle on his final start for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.

He has bled in the past, and was reported to have done so at Carlisle, but his new trainer is exceptional at turning such horses around, and further support would only serve to bolster belief in his chances here.

2.55 Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 3m 70yd

Game Colours appreciated the relative test of stamina when winning over two miles and a furlong at Exeter early this year, but was taken off her feet when well beaten in the Imperial Cup last time, and now steps up a mile in trip. The question is whether she truly stays this much longer trip, but she stayed two and three-quarter miles early in her career under National Hunt rules, and was placed on both her point-to-point starts prior to that, so I’m hopeful that she will relish this trip.

Ben Clarke has booked Sam Twiston-Davies, who was on board for her Exeter win and that tends to be a sign of intent for the Dorchester trainer.

On the subject of stamina, her damsire is Orpen, which would suggest some limitations, but her dam is a half-sister to those thorough stayers Irish Stamp and Paddy’s Return and, with that pedigree, it’s a surprise that it’s taken so long to have a try at three miles.

3.35 Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase 3m 7f 176yd

It’s always a positive to find an unexposed young stayer in races such as this and Chasingouttheblues is very much in that mould. Mark Walford’s seven-year-old has yet to race much beyond three miles, but has finished strongly twice this season to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and the manner of his wins has been that of a horse who will relish a marathon test.

He typically finished with a flourish to win at Catterick on his penultimate start and improved again to score at Carlisle last time. His only defeat in recent starts came when second to Newton Tornado at Doncaster and that horse was made ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase on the back of that success, albeit disappointing on the day.

Chasingouttheblues steps up markedly in trip now, but that will not only help him maintain a prominent pitch but should help him to progress further as a chaser with his handicap mark only 7lb higher than it was this time a year ago - despite his three wins over fences.

The fact that he’s won by narrow margins is certainly a help in that regard, and his relentless running style will lend itself well to a race which rewards such characteristics.

Newbury Saturday

1.25 Dubai Duty Free (Fred Darling) Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 7f

Catching The Moon is bred to improve from two to three, coming from an excellent family that has produced star fillies Alborada, Last Second, Quarter Moon and her daughter Diamondsandrubies. Catching The Moon’s dam was a winner for connections, albeit in fairly modest company, but she has produced another good one in last year’s Firth of Clyde winner.

Catching The Moon beat Lam Yai and Figjam at Ayr and that pair dominated a Listed race at Doncaster subsequently. By a speedy sire in No Nay Never, Catching The Moon is likely to be best at up to a mile and has yet to run beyond six furlongs, but this trip should be perfect starting out her three-year-old season and she will be hard to beat if training on as expected.

2.00 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) 7f

Needle Match has plenty to find on form, but the simple fact that he’s one of only two William Haggas-trained colts to have a current entry in the 2000 Guineas speaks volumes, and he showed a most likeable attitude when overcoming a hefty bump from the runner-up when making a winning debut here in the autumn.

Needle Match was given an educational ride first time up, but responded well when asked to be competitive and battled on for a narrow win from another promising sort in Storming Point. That form, as mentioned, needs improving upon, but it’s unlikely that the son of Night Of Thunder needs conditions as testing as they were that day and he really could be anything.

His trainer doesn’t waste classic entries, so he must be showing the right signs at home, and he appeals at double-figure odds against market leaders who have a bit to prove.

Zavateri is the one to beat on form, having won a Group 1 and two Group 2s as a juvenile, but he looked the ideal two-year-old who was very mature and professional last year and lacks the scope to maintain his place in the pecking order, while Albert Einstein flopped in the Gladness Stakes and the absence of the name ‘O’Brien’ from the Greenham roll of honour shows that this has never been a chosen path for Ballydoyle runners.

3.10 OLBG Spring Cup Handicap 1m

Jimmy Speaking did well to make much of the running against a headwind at Doncaster last month and won’t mind the step up to a mile, so gets the vote in an open Spring Cup. Chris Dwyer’s charge seems well drawn in the centre of the track and conditions here should be more favourable to front runners than they were at the Lincoln meeting.

Runner-up over this trip at Ascot last July, Jimmy Speaking clearly stays a mile well and, although a 4lb rise for Doncaster pushes him up the class ladder, he’s capable of better yet for his underrated handler.

Recommended

Tellherthename 2.20 Ayr - 2pts win @ 5/2 (general)

Game Colours 2.55 Ayr - 1pt win @ 17/2 (Bet365, Hills; 8/1 general)

Chasingouttheblues 3.35 Ayr - 1.5pts e/w @ 11/1 (general - 5 places)

Needle Match 2.00 Newbury - 1pt win @ 12/1 (Bet365, Hills; 10/1 general)

Jimmy Speaking 3.10 Newbury - 1pt e/w @ 22/1 (general - 6 places)