Tom Scudamore: Monbeg Genius primed for Scottish Grand National success

15.00 – Balco Coastal

Balco Coastal is the highest rated in here, and I think he’s the one that will take all the beating. Even though he disappointed in the Turners at the festival last time, he gave Gerri Colombe a proper race in the Scilly Isles at Sandown the time before, and that form has worked out incredibly well with what the winner has done since. There are some progressive chasers in opposition, but if Nicky’s horse runs up to his best form then I think he’ll win.

15.35 – Monbeg Genius

Dad and Lucinda have a couple in this, so if I’m allowed to be biased, it would be amazing if they could win another big National. If I had to pick the most likely winner though, I’d have to go for Jonjo’s horse Monbeg Genius. He’s looked like a horse to follow all winter, and his third behind Corach Rambler in the Ultima last time was an excellent run, so with the potential of plenty more to come, he’d definitely be my selection.

16.10 – Serious Operator

I really am going to be biased now and go for Lucinda’s horse Serious Operator. He probably found Grade 2 company a bit tough when well beaten at Haydock, but a mark of 119 could underestimate him, and with Patrick Wadge taking off a valuable 5lb here, I can see him running very well.

16:45 – Guernesey

I think the return to better ground will suit Guernesey here, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he returned to winning ways. He’s struggled slightly since joining Joe Tizzard, but as a result he’s come down a fair bit in the weights, and with the drier conditions in his favour, I can see him bouncing back to winning ways.

17.20 – Slugger

This looks very open, but I’ll take a chance on Ian Jardine’s horse Slugger in this. He was very well backed when slightly disappointing on his first run at Newcastle, but he showed much more when 2nd over C&D in February, and although he’ll certainly need to step forward again, he does look the type that could keep on improving.

Tom

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