Saturday ITV Racing tips: Best free bets for Scottish Grand National Day at Ayr and Newbury on April 12

It's Scottish Grand National day at Ayr, and that's part of a five race programme on the telly.

Meanwhile, down at Newbury, on the Flat, the Spring Trials continue and ITV are showing four from there including three Group 3s and the Spring Cup.

Let's begin with a quick run through of our ITV tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.

If you fancy a punt or two, check out the Planet Sport race centre which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's latest update)

 

Saturday's ITV tips

13:10 (Ayr) Tommy's Oscar

13:25 (Newbury) Ancient Wisdom

13:43 (Ayr) Masaccio

14:00 (Newbury) Simmering

14:15 (Ayr) Ethical Diamond

14:35 (Newbury) Al Qudra

14:55 (Ayr) Lavida Adiva

15:12 (Newbury) Silver Sword

15:35 (Ayr) Surrey Quest

 

13:10 (Ayr) Tommy's Oscar

Tommy's Oscar won the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase last year. Races on a lower rating. Still in contention when unseating three out at Aintree recently.

Homme Public has won three of his eight fences starts. Just 1lb higher than when second in a competitive 2m1/2f class 2 handicap at Doncaster during March. Consider following a good warm-up tackling hurdles.

Western Diego comes without a win in three chase outings. Latest Punchestown (2mf) second was encouraging. Opening mark looks fair.

The Other Mozzie possibly lacked stamina attempting 2m4 3/4f at Cheltenham. Key player based on previous 11L victory at Naas.

 

13:25 (Newbury) Ancient Wisdom

Charlie Appleby could have Ancient Wisdom ready to go on seasonal return in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.

Can do better as a four-year-old and makes his first start since finishing third in the Grosser Preis Von Bayern.

Running third in the St Leger last year Sunway just about sets the standard. Not disgraced when last seen finishing tenth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Market to help guide as regards chances of Bellum Justum who landed the G3 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky in August.

Tabletalk might have more to offer this season.

 

13:43 (Ayr) Masaccio

Masaccio made a winning chase debut at Newbury before placing twice among Graded company.

Excellent third at the Cheltenham Festival more recently. Big player stepping back up in trip for the Cpms Novices' Champion Handicap Chase.

The G2-winning hurdler Loughglynn showed promise in three chase starts. Makes handicap debut. Yet to win tackling this trip. Still brings plenty of positives.

Whistle Stop Tour was badly hampered early when pulled up at Cheltenham. Convincing course and distance winner during January. Can resume progress.

Eyed is yet to miss the top two when completing for this yard. Don’t underestimate.

 

14:00 (Newbury) Simmering

Booking Christophe Soumillon catches the eye on Simmering in the Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes.

The Ollie Sangster-trained filly finished runner-up in both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Prix Marcel Boussac late last season. Holds solid form claims down in class returning.

Charlie Appleby trains Mountain Breeze who brings strong juvenile form and commands respect following back-to-back wide-margin wins at Meydan.

Heavens Gate produced a busy two-year-old campaign. Cannot be ignored on the form of her victory in the G3 Weld Park Stakes.

Unexposed duo Nardra and Formal both hold interesting profiles.

 

14:15 (Ayr) Ethical Diamond

Ethical Diamond belatedly opened his hurdle account securing easy Punchestown win.

Ran fourth from 1lb lower in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham subsequently and will be a leading contender in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle with the promise of more to come.

Kabral Du Mathan finished second tackling fiercely competitive handicaps past two outings. Bold display anticipated.

Valgrand failed to fire at Cheltenham Festival. Remains of interest based on early seasonal form. Good ground important.

Dysart Enos was a high-class jumpers flat race performer. Struggled after bright start to hurdling career. Too soon to write her off.

 

14:35 (Newbury) Al Qudra

Al Qudra has proven form on quick ground and arrives for the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes fit from his recent G2 success at Al Rayyan in Qatar.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt might lack the scope for further progress that some of his opponents possess. Brings solid form.

Shock winner of the Coventry Stakes last year Rashabar proved his worth at the top level when narrowly denied in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Respect on return.

There could be more to come from impressive Doncaster novice winner Chancellor while others with interesting profiles include both Jonquil and wide margin debut winner Rogue Allegiance.

 

14:55 (Ayr) Lavida Adiva

Lavida Adiva was transformed by the increased trip winning a Kelso Listed race by 9L. Raised 5lb subsequently. Might have more to come in the Uk Greentech Glasgow Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Ruby Island gained just reward for her consistency winning a handicap here 35 days ago. Up 5lb and shapes as though this extra distance might suit.

Armed And Fabulous won a Newcastle maiden hurdle that is working out. Sharply up in trip. Unexposed.

Ottizzini will have ground to find with the top selection on latest running. Does bring a persuasive record at this track.

 

15:12 (Newbury) Silver Sword

A competitive Spring Cup that could suit Silver Sword, especially as booking Jamie Spencer looks like a positive move.

This fast-finishing five-year-old came from off the pace to land a nice prize at Meydan in latest outing.

James McHenry goes well fresh. Respect after posting four-straight solid performances in tough handicaps last season.

Metal Merchant wasn't at his best at Goodwood in August. Will have been primed for this by trainer Jack Channon and is handicapped to go well.

Urban Lion also makes for each-way appeal.

 

15:35 (Ayr) Surrey Quest

Surrey Quest was beaten a nose in the Scottish Grand National last year. Competes from a 5lb higher mark this time. Did little wrong in three subsequent starts and capable of a big run.

Chosen Witness won at this meeting hurdling last season. Lacks experience after just three chase outings and might be leniently treated.

Last year's winner Macdermott has struggled for form recently. Receives a competitive mark as a result and a revival is possible.

Hasthing looked to be challenging for third when falling at the last over at Cheltenham. Unexposed and first-time cheekpieces might inspire improvement.

 

READ MORE: Nap of the Day - Today’s best free horse racing tips

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