The Jock Grand National

Every year I say I that one day I will go to the Scottish Grand National. Well when you get to my age you have to start doing these daft things before it is too late so this Saturday "Ayr here we come".
If any of you have been I would love to hear of your experiences. Any do's and dont's etc.
Of course if any of you are going I would love to meet up, a few on here will vouch that I am friendly enough.

With the trip in mind I have studied the race and the one that rather catches my eye is TRUSTAN TIMES.

 

I may take a troop down, not often you see a horse as good as My Tent running in Scotland.

 

11/10 if you knew for sure he was running you would have to fairly lump on wouldn't you............

 

Funny ol race in prospect currently if Tidal Bay lines up as he'll keep all bar the top 10 out of the handicap. Also the ground currently has plenty of soft in it but that may change by Saturday if the dry spell continues and extends up north. My short list includes Merry King, Alpha Victor and Ballybough Gorta (the latter only if Tidal Bay comes out). Probably best if TB stays in as I'll only have to pick between 2!

 

Well Merry King and Godsmejudge were on my long term short list for the GN and they didn't run; so I'm going to keep it simple and stick with those 2.

 

Could be a very enjoyable day stick. Harristown in the first, and Noël Fehily riding two for Harry Fry. Are you going up in a horsebox?

 

Have a nice day, Stickers, old boy. Although I’m sure the question that every forum member wants answered is will you be adapting to local custom and wearing a kilt?!?

As I said on the ‘daily thread’ a couple of days ago Mr Henderson’s SAINT CHARLES could be out of the top drawer and if he’s steered towards the ‘lucky last’ take the hint. The 4YO son of Manduro cost current connections £140,000 in March. The gelding has had 2 runs in points unseating first time up prior to winning very, very nicely at North Carlton in February. Interestingly the horse who finished runner-up that day was ridden by the forum’s favourite Corithian, Sam Waley-Cohen, so I’m sure his positive words re Saint Charles were listened to and heeded by Mr Henderson. He’s another Mr Henderson horse bought by David ‘Minty’ Minton and will wear the McManus colours.

Mr Henderson, incidentally has won this bumper in 3 out of the past 4 seasons and in ’10 he did so with Sprinter Sacre. He always likes to steer a potentially good ‘un at this contest.

 

Hope you have a good trip Stick, and the only piece of wisdom I could pass on is get to the course early...!!!

It's not the best for access if your going by car/taxi, but if your walking up then its a good half hour walk from the town centre and the train station. I went up about 5 years ago and stayed about 2 mins from the town centre in a really nice BnB. Its was cheap enough and there are plenty of bars, but the Fish n Chips up there where some of the best ive ever had...!!!


Enjoy the trip...

 

Enjoy Stick... when I went there i stayed at Parkdean Sundrum Castle Campsite which was about 5/6 miles away from the racecourse. Nice quiet camp site out the way... For the evening bar on site or you can get a taxi easy enough from campsite in Coylton to Ayr. Alternatively get in to Glasgow for a rough around the edges night out. It will be buzzing on a Saturday night . I recommend the Solid Rock Bar by the main train station. Its on Hope St to dance the night away....lol

 

So Tidal Bay takes his chance. I've had another look at this and I must admit I'm finding increasingly hard to oppose the ol boy. The trends are ominous but then not many of his vintage and ability have lined up.