Expert analysis and key trainer quotes for the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr

2.25 Ayr
Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

The Scottish and English Grand National meetings have flip-flopped in the calendar this season and a change in the pattern means Ayr precedes Aintree.

The 30-day gap between the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Scottish Champion Hurdle in 2021 is reduced to 15 days this year as West Cork attempts the double.

The eight-year-old equalled his Greatwood Hurdle-winning form in November on Racing Post Ratings when running a fine fourth to the chucked-in State Man in the County. The Scottish Champion is undoubtedly a weaker race than the County and West Cork may still be ahead of his mark.

However, Dan Skelton’s talented hurdler could be worth bypassing at a short price. He has an impressive record fresh and was presumably trained to peak at Cheltenham, so the quick turnaround is a concern, while there are no shortage of potentially well-treated rivals in opposition.

Last year’s Scottish Champion one-two Milkwood and Anna Bunina are back for more. Like West Cork, Milkwood and Anna Bunina ran in the County without winning en-route to Ayr, but both benefited from a 30-day respite.

Milkwood was an authoritative winner that day, but meets the mare on 13lb worse terms and returns off a 181-day break after dreams of a chasing career dissolved.

Anna Bunina is two years Milkwood’s junior and is fighting fit, so may have the edge in their private head to head.

Alqamar is another who hasn’t competed in six months. A rapidly progressive type for Jimmy Moffatt last year, Alqamar unseated Charlotte Jones four out when moving well in a decent Wetherby handicap, a race in which he was receiving only 2lb from subsequent Grade 2 winner Tommy’s Oscar.

Victory here would represent an impressive training feat from Moffatt, but that isn’t ruled out as we still don’t know Alqamar’s ceiling.

Barrichello is the final runner of interest for Donald McCain, who is without a victory in Scotland’s most prestigious hurdle race since Overturn scored in 2010.

This six-year-old is unlucky not to be unbeaten this season. His only disappointment came when he blew the start after facing the wrong way at odds of 1-5 in a Bangor novice.

Barrichello has shown greater savvy on his next two outings, giving 6lb and a neck beating to the talented Good Risk At All before sauntering home in a Newcastle novice in February.

With the hurdling experience he has accumulated, this Listed novice winner is ready to step up to the plate in a top handicap.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'We've waited for better ground for him'

No trainer wins more sticky toffee pudding – the prize given to winning connections at Cartmel – than local man Jimmy Moffatt and he makes the trip to Ayr in search of a sweet Scottish Champion Hurdle success with Alqamar.

The eight-year-old was rated in the 90s for Charlie Appleby on the Flat and has proved a fine buy for £17,000, winning four times, finishing second once and unseating when with every chance when last in action at Wetherby in October.

Moffatt said: "I’m really looking forward to it – he has a good record fresh and we’ve waited for better ground for him. I like the idea of not having much weight on his back and I hope there's more to come."

Alqamar: returns from a winter breakCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Moffatt won this race aboard Home Counties in 1995 – the same year Alcamar's rider Charlotte Jones was born – and the trainer believes she is ready to grasp this big-race opportunity.

He said: "Charlotte has a good head on her shoulders and she’s very cool. She’s ridden at the big festivals and had Brian Hughes breathing down her neck for leading rider at Cartmel, so she's well capable. She takes the big occasion well."

What they say

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Milkwood
It’s a hard task off top weight and with no recent run, but he’s as straight as we can get him and he’s been for a racecourse gallop. He clearly likes the track and goes there in good form.

Dan Skelton, trainer of West Cork
He ran well at Cheltenham since when I've been surprised how happy I've been with him as I thought he might be a bit flat. I was only going to run him here if he was 100 per cent. It's hard to win two big handicaps in a year but I’m happy with him.

Neil King, trainer of Onemorefortheroad
The track should very much suit him and the more the ground dries out the better. He ran well in the Imperial Cup on ground that was soft enough for him and I’m hoping he might just have a couple of pounds in hand still.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Voix Du Reve
He had a nice confidence-booster at Newcastle and he didn't have a hard race there. We've left Tom Midgley on, claiming 5lb. It's a tough race but he's not without a chance.

John McConnell, trainer of Anna Bunina
She was second in the race last year, but she got injured in it and it took her a long time to get over it. Her last run was much better and she is a few pounds lower in the race this year but I'd be more hopeful than confident.
Reporting by Jack Haynes

Read all of Saturday's previews:

1.15 Ayr: Is it worth taking on the favourite Sebastopol in Listed handicap chase?

1.50 Ayr: His talent is undeniable - but can Dusart strike despite short turnaround?

2.45 Newbury: Which trainer thinks his mare will 'run a very big race' in Grade 2?

3.00 Ayr: 'It's a red-hot race' - novice chasers clash in Grade 2 Future Champions

3.35 Ayr: 'She's in great form' - Christian Williams on his leading Scottish National duo

3.35 Ayr: Runner-by-runner guide: key quotes and star ratings for Scottish Grand National

Is there another Poetic Flare lurking on trials day at Leopardstown?

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