Date: Saturday 20th April 2024
The Scottish Grand National usually rewards a horse with enough experience to cope with a big-field staying chase, but not one so exposed that the handicapper has already squeezed the life out of it.
The key profile again points towards a horse aged between seven and ten, rated 135 or higher, carrying a workable weight and arriving here off a recent run. Proven staying chase form is essential and a horse with at least one previous win over three miles or further looks a major plus.
These are the three that come out strongest on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Git Maker | 221 |
| Macdermott | 216 |
| Ballygrifincottage | 205 |
| Surrey Quest | 198 |
| Klarc Kent | 191 |
The ratings favour the proven handicap stayers with enough recent evidence to suggest they are still on the upgrade rather than merely treading water from their marks.
MAIN SELECTION
Git Maker (10/1 available)
He comes out top on the figures and looks the one with the strongest all-round staying handicap profile in the race.
His recent form ties in very well with what this race usually demands and he looks exactly the type to thrive in a strongly-run marathon chase. He is solid on the trends and makes plenty of appeal on the substance of his form.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Macdermott (25/1 available)
One of the more interesting runners in the race and clearly a live one on the trends.
He still looks to have a bit of untapped staying potential and comes here with the sort of profile that can work very well in this race. Not quite top on the figures, but very much the type who could improve again in a marathon handicap.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Ballygrifincottage (14/1 available)
A fair price and one who looks capable of getting involved if seeing the trip out strongly enough.
He has enough of the right ingredients to make the shortlist and looks the sort who will keep plugging on when the race starts to get serious. Not the obvious one, but definitely not one to dismiss.
SUMMARY
Git Maker heads the ratings on proven staying handicap form, with Macdermott the more progressive danger and Ballygrifincottage the one at a bigger price who could keep staying into the frame if the race turns into a real slog.
