Saturday's Scottish Grand National Attracts Star Field

11 April 2014

Tomorrow (Saturday, April 12th), quirky equine star Tidal Bay will make his third regional Grand National appearance this season live on Channel 4.

Tidal Bay who unseated Sam Twiston-Davies at the first Canal Turn (eighth fence) in last Saturday’s Crabbie’s Grand National and then galloped on riderless for the first circuit before deciding to ‘head for home’ virtually taking out the front-running Across The Bay in the process; will line up with a total 32-runner field in the Ayr marathon, the Coral Scottish Grand National.

The 13-year-old, who is owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, heads the weights for the Ayr feature with 11st 12lbs, in which he will give away 19lbs and more to his rivals.

Morning Line guests, trainer Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore, also have two good chances with Green Flag and Lie Forrit in the four mile 110 yards feature race.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Sport, says:  “The Coral Scottish Grand National is one of our premium fixtures on Channel 4.  There is always a special feeling at Ayr and we’re delighted to return to Scotland for the second year running. With the Greenham renewal at Newbury looking so exciting as well it’s a great day with eight races on Channel 4.”

Channel 4 Racing’s Saturday racecard takes in four races from Ayr Racecourse including the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle in which the legendary AP McCoy ride My Tent Or Yours, and four competitive flat contests from The Racecourse Newbury.  The latter will provide invaluable insight into the leading Guineas contenders and clues for the flat season ahead.

The Morning Line: 8am with guests Lucinda Russell, Peter Scudamore and Sam Turner

Channel 4 Racing: 1:40 – 4:10pm

AYR: 2.05 2.40 3.15 3.50

NEWBURY: 1.50 2.20 2.55 3.30

Team: Nick Luck, Mick Fitzgerald, Graham Cunningham, Gina Bryce, Simon Holt and Tom Lee with Emma Spencer providing inserts from Newbury.

Channel 4 Racing is sponsored by Dubai.