Iain Jardine thinks Cool Combine has rather a lot going for it as he tries to turn into the newest home-trained winner of the Coral Scottish Grand Nationwide in Ayr on Saturday.
In profitable gold 12 months in the past, Lucinda Russell gave Mighty Thunder Scotland their first win on the four-mile match since Andrew Parker’s second Merigo success in 2012.
The Cool Combine, who skilled at Dumfries, is a part of a robust Scottish squad this yr, with husband Sandy Thompson of Hill Sixteen and The Fairy Grasp and a robust economic system of Area Ian Duncan in competitors as nicely.
“In fact it could be nice to win it,” Jardine stated.
“Clearly the Scottish coaches have received it earlier than, together with Lucinda Russell final yr. It could be nice to be on the resume, for positive.”
Crew Cool Combine received the hurdles on the 2018 Scottish Nationwide Grand Prix, shedding simply over eight lengths to fifth by Mighty Thunder in final yr’s Grand Prix.
The ten-year-old is again with 6 kilos much less in weights, lower than Alan Doyle’s declare of seven kilos, regardless of some spectacular defeat efforts to this point this season.
Jardine added: “We’re trying ahead to taking part in him anyway. We’ll see how he progresses.
“A citizen is a citizen and any of them can win, however we’ve our horse in good condition, the bottom goes to go well with him and it seems like that is his time of yr.
“He is been working with a stability each spherical this yr, he is very constant and he is on the proper finish of the handicap, so fingers are crossed.
“Hopefully for journey and so long as he is again protected and sound, that is the principle factor.”
The Scotland-trained quad types a part of a discipline of 24 runners introduced for Saturday’s Air Marathon.
Christian Williams launched a double assault, with Jack Tudor partnering with pre-release favourite Kitty’s Mild, reserving Irish beginner main Rob James for profitable companion Eider Chase Win My Wings.
Stormy Decide and Historical past Of Trend’s husband Pat Fahey holds Irish hopes, in addition to Streets Of Doyen obtained by John McConnell.
Different notable contenders embody Ashtown Ladd (Dan Skelton), Main Dundee (Alan King), Fantasticas (Nigel Twiston Davis) and Wolf (Oli Murphy).
The Wolf, who wears the McNeill household colours, was narrowly crushed when he climbed practically 4 miles for the primary time on the Edinburgh Nationwide in his most up-to-date look.
“That is been the objective for him all season, just about,” Max McNeil informed Sky Sports activities Racing.
“We wished to see if he was going to get the journey at Edinburgh Nationwide and he was working a cracker there.
“The one factor about The Wolf is that he retains making errors, which have value him all three of his races this season.
“He managed to beat, however he is a crooked horse! If he can get the whole lot proper, we expect he is bought an honest shot on Saturday.”