Scottish Grand National: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Timeform preview the Scottish Grand National

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the day's feature handicap, the Scottish Grand National...

Auroras Encore often comes into his own at this time of year and did so once more to land Grand National earlier this month. Beaten just a head when second in this 12 months ago, but now 5 lb higher.

Lion Na Bearnai won 3 races last term, improving markedly to land Irish National, but has been since just once since (pulled up in Hennessy at Newbury), and doesn't look to have much in hand from this mark.

Silver By Nature is a mud-loving front runner who won Haydock's Grand National Trial in 2010 and 2011, though ran no sort of race in this year's renewal returning from a 23-month absence, and has something to prove now.

Our Mick was placed for the second consecutive year in JLT Chase at Cheltenham, arguably doing well to get so close after significant mistake just as things were taking shape. Possibly hasn't finished progressing.

Always Right finished third in this race in 2011 from 1 lb lower mark and showed first form for while when landing listed event at Kelso last time. Should go well again if in same mood.

Rival D'estruval was a useful hurdler and already much better over fences, scoring at Carlisle and Kelso. Would have gone very close but for falling 2 out in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, and looks a big player.

Garleton was at least as good as ever when narrowly denied by Always Right at Kelso last month. Badly impeded when falling at Ascot since, though seeemingly found out for stamina all previous starts at 4m+.

Knockara Beau was back to form when scoring over fences at Kelso in November and has made frame all 3 completed starts since, though he remains a sketchy jumper of fences, unseating at Cheltenham last time.

Godsmejudge progressed well earlier in season, finishing excellent second in Classic Chase at Warwick, and not disgraced when third in National Hunt Chase last month. Thorough stayer who should be involved.

Rose of The Moon made a promising start over fences, winning at Wetherby and Sedgefield, though disappointed next time and jumping didn't really hold up at Cheltenham most recently. Cheekpieces fitted here.

Problema Tic benefitted from fitting of headgear when fourth at Aintree (25f) 2 weeks ago, doing best of those who raced prominently. Stamina for this test taken on trust, though. Cheekpieces replace blinkers.

Tour Des Champs was successful 3 times over fences despite some indifferent jumping, but found out in competitive handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree recently and is unlikely to be good enough.

Bradley was a neck second in valuable handicap at Cheltenham (27f) in November and rallied when fifth over 25f there next time. Rare poor effort at Warwick in January, but may benefit from break since.

Mister Marker is a thorough stayer who added another win to his tally here last February (25f). Better than ever after year on sidelines when fourth at Kelso last month, and sound claims if repeating that.

Rigadin de Beauchene has been better than ever this season, avoiding mistakes to win Classic Chase at Warwick and good second at Haydock (3m) next time. Possibly not over those exertions when below par at Sandown last month.

Nuts N Bolts is a better chaser than hurdler after just 5 starts in this sphere, running well when sixth at Cheltenham last month on quicker ground than he'd previously encountered. May do better still.

Big Occasion has improved with each step up in trip this year, clearly well suited by emphasis on stamina when landing Midlands National last month. Needs to pull out more from 6 lb higher mark, but may well do so.

Relax arrived at Cheltenham in good form but disappointed in Kim Muir, his previous exertions on testing ground perhaps taking their toll. Needs to bounce back to feature here.

Fill The Power has often shaped as if an extreme test would suit and not disgraced when fifth in Midlands National recently, paying for racing closer to overly-strong pace than ideal. Worth another chance.

Neptune Equester began to look awkward over fences last season and typically made hard work of winning over hurdles at Wetherby (2m) last month. Stamina test will suit, but likely to find this too competitive.

Pentiffic got back to winning ways in 3m Musselburgh handicap in January, but lesser efforts since, including in blinkers last time, and unlikely that switch to cheekpieces will re-ignite the spark.

Monsieur Cadou opened his chasing account at Haydock (3m) in November and produced career best to win over that C&D last month. 12 lb rise will make life tougher, but looks ideal type for race like this.
 
Cool Operator improved when scoring at Uttoxeter and Carlisle earlier in season, but ran poorly in Midlands National last time and looks handicapped to hilt at present.

Rebeccas Choice is a two-time winner this year who produced career best when second to Big Occasion in Midlands National last time. Extreme test suited that day and should go well again if over those exertions.

Lively Baron was in good form before turn of year, winning staying handicaps at Kelso and Sandown. Not the most genuine, however, and has thrown in the odd moody display, so isn't one to place maximum faith in.

Captain Americo has produced respectable efforts when making frame 8 of last 10 starts, and can be excused poor run at Haydock 3 weeks ago without headgear (refitted here), but 7 lb out of handicap, so is passed over.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Rival D'estruval
2. Big Occasion
3. Fill The Power

Timeform View: Auroras Encore bids to become the first horse since Red Rum to land the Aintree/Scottish National double, but several of today's rivals appear to hold stronger claims, notably Rival d'Estruval and Big Occasion, with the former just given the nod to gain compensation for falling 2 out when going well at Cheltenham last month. At bigger odds, Fill The Power may go close.

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