Ferdy Murphy is in bullish mood as Poker De Sivola bids to give him a fourth success in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
The Yorkshire handler has saddled Paris Pike (2000), Joes Edge (2005) and Hot Weld (2007) to take the Ayr marathon, and this year's representative arrives on the back of victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
"We've had no problems with him since Cheltenham and everything is grand. He has a nice racing weight and we're lucky to be in the handicap as if we'd had rain and Denman had run, we wouldn't have been," said Murphy.
"It's going to be quite quick ground, but this lad should be fine on it. He definitely has a decent chance and I think he's a justifiable favourite."
John Mackie is hopeful of a good run from Gidam Gidam, who is proven at the trip having won over four miles at Doncaster in February.
"He's in good form and we're looking forward to the race," said the Derbyshire trainer. "When he first ran over four miles a couple of years ago we had the Scottish National pencilled in and the way this season has panned out, it's dropped into place."
Peter Bowen would like to see the weather stay dry for No Panic, whose stamina is unproven over this marathon distance.
"He's in good form so I just hope it stays dry for him," said the Haverfordwest trainer. "Hopefully being 7lb out of the handicap won't matter too much. We've had this race in mind for him for a little while."
Have a look at Dom D`Orgeval. Back with former yard and unlucky not to have had a win recently. Leading claims if able to reproduce his Aintree effort last week off same mark me thinks. 20/1 Ladbrokes currently. Two more selections on Members Line NOW! G` Luck!
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