Scottish Grand National and preview of the rest of Saturday's racing

Midnight Prayer has this season had a National nightmare, but all that can change at Ayr.
Horse racingHorse racing
Horse racing

Trainer Alan King had hoped to run the 11-year-old stayer in the Welsh Grand National, but a bout of coughing put paid to that dream.

The Barbury Castle handler then had grand plans of saddling Midnight Prayer in the big one at Aintree, only to miss the cut.

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But with fate finally on his side, he has to be shortlisted for the Coral Scottish Grand National.

Things have not gone so smoothly since winning the four-miler at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival - he has only raced on five more occasions - but his second place in a heavy-ground Classic Chase at Warwick in January was reassuring.

His subsequent success at Exeter was less convincing, though, when left in front by the fall of Golden Chieftain, while he was also well beaten in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.

Be that as it may, he was hardly disgraced in finishing seventh behind Cause Of Causes - particularly as three miles and two furlongs on good ground was always going to be too sharp for a horse that is not especially quick.

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With this very much in mind, a return to a marathon distance and easier ground should boost his chances immeasurably.

Despite his advancing years, Midnight Prayer has only been seen on 10 occasions over fences and competes at Ayr off a lovely weight.

King, a loyal Scot with a big heart, won the race in 2013 with Godsmejudge and there is every chance this has yet again been a long-held target - even if his inmate has had to zig-zag a little to get to Ayr.

* Other Selections:

Newbury: 1.35 Finelcity, 2.10 Agent Murphy, 2.40 Besharah, 3.15 Crazy Horse, 3.50 Birdman, 4.25 Against The Odds, 5.00 Darshini.

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Thirsk: 1.45 Sir Domino, 2.20 Pomme De Terre, 2.55 Sartori, 3.30 Balty Boys, 4.05 El Astronaute, 4.40 Master Of Finance, 5.15 General Alexander, 5.45 Gaelic Wizard.

Ayr: 1.50 Definitly Red, 2.25 Bristol De Mai, 3.00 Clondaw Warrior, 3.35 Ulck Du Lin, 4.10 MIDNIGHT PRAYER (NAP), 4.45 Zeroeshadesofgrey, 5.20 Vicenzo Mio, 5.50 Glingerside.

Bangor: 2.15 Beware The Bear, 2.45 Definitely Better, 3.20 Beauboreen, 3.55 Moidore, 4.30 San Pietro, 5.05 Kelka.

Nottingham: 4.50 Sir Geoffrey, 5.25 Lucata, 5.55 Scottish Summit, 6.25 The Juggler, 6.55 Lilbourne Prince, 7.25 Beverley Bullet, 7.55 Dancing Years.

Wolverhampton: 6.10 Mr Christopher, 6.40 Tombe Girl, 7.10 Almanack, 7.40 Batts Rock, 8.10 Evervescent, 8.40 Carragold, 9.10 Jumbo Prado.

Double: Midnight Prayer and Besharah.