#OddsKnows Racing Preview: 2nd Apr

As usual we have our weekend preview for you with the action this week coming from Ayr, Newbury & Chepstow. We've also got all weather racing from Lingfield plus Wolverhampton under the lights for the evening meeting

Our man #OddsKnows once again takes a look at the best of all the action here for you on The Cheeky Punts.

Don't forget to check out the #OddsKnows Nap which you can find here as well as all the latest from our days picks on our racing pages

The Scottish Grand National is the big race of the day up at Ayr and we have a bumper 7 places on offer for this one with Skybet, and a few others go the extra places too. That means we could have a bit of each way value but one I do like here is actually up near the top of the market in Stormy Judge. He was 5th at Naas last time out which was a bit of a slog so he looks like he should stay this extended 3m7f trip.

There are quite a few here that you can make an each way case for but one that catches the eye for me is The Ferry Master down the bottom of the weights for trainer Sandy Thomson. He actually finished 4th here last year so has course & distance form and is proven over this mammoth trip so at around 12/1, and with the extra places on offer, he looks a good each way option. Another one with an each way shot here is Innisfree Lad who has that man Brian Hughes onboard. He's run pretty well over the longer trips and was a good 3rd at a big price last time out at Newcastle over 4m so he looks to have the necessary stamina for this and is a relatively sound jumper. It's not often the champion jockey is on a 28/1 shot so it could be too good to pass up for an each way punt

Sticking with Ayr we have the 1.15pm which is the money back offer from Skybet. I quite like the favourite Sebastopol here but at 2/1 I'm going to take him on to try and find a bit of value. And Sao looks like he may fit the bill here. He had a few good looking runs and was 4th LTO in a race that possibly wasn't really to suit so the Rebecca Menzies charge can go close here and looks the value play at around 9/1

We also have a few really decent looking races and the 2.25pm see the Scottish Champion Hurdle and this looks a pretty competitive affair. West Cork and Onemorefortheroad look lively contenders but I am going to side here with Anna Bunina who looks like she hitting a bit of form and due a big win. Trainer John McConnell sends her over from Ireland for this one after a relatively quiet winter but I quite liked the 3rd LTO (behind the smart Socialist Agenda and Fiveandtwenty). A repeat of that time of form should see her go very close her again. Special mention here to Barrichello as well for The Owners Group and it would be great to see him put in a big run for all the owners

In the 3pm I am sticking with a horse which I was super impressed with early on in Il Ridoto from the Paul Nicholls yard. He has won at Newbury before disappointing at Cheltenham but I think we can put a line through that run. Todays track and trip should be more suitable although he will have to get the better of the very smart Minella Drama here. The maestro though may have one eye on the Champion trainer pot so I expect a big run from our boy here

And last up at Ayr its the final of the day at 5.15pm and I am going to take a bit of a punt here on Autumn Return. Trainer Ruth Jefferson has the champ Brian Hughes booked to ride for this newcomer who was a winner when pointing in Ireland. He is a bit of an unknown but Hughes looks an eye catching booking and the 'king of the north' usually does well up here

Newbury next as we stick with the jumps today and I'm kicking off with the 1.35pm where we now have a 6 runner affair following a number of withdrawals. The Moore's have Royaume Uni here who is the favourite but I am going to take him on with the Skelton runner Frere D'armes. Bridget Andrews takes the mount today for his Handicap debut but he looked good in a his first few runs with a 2nd then a couple of wins before coming up short in G2 company last time at Kempton. This looks more winnable so at 9/2 he can go close in this one here today

The 2.45pm is another hit by a few non runners so this may have opened it up a bit and The Owners Group can have a good day today including Sabrina here. The Paul Nicholls trained 7YO got off the mark last time out at Wincanton and there looks like there could be more to come. The early market principles don't run so the maestro may now be looking at this as a winnable race and a chance to bag a bit of prize money for himself and the owners

The last from at Newbury is the 3.55pm and its another tight looking one to call with little to choose between them in the betting. The tentative vote though goes to Dublin Four who has won over C&D for trainer Fergal O'Brien. He was only 5th LTO but this looks like a good chance to get back to winning ways off what still looks a workable mark

The last of the jumps meetings for the day is over at Chepstow and kicking off with the 1.42pm and I like Clemencia for this one. He hasn't won since 2019 but is eased another 1lb again for this and his 3rd at Hereford looks decent with the winner following up since. 4/1 looks a fair price for this one to get that W on the board today

In the 2.52pm Post No Bills looks to have a very fair opening mark for his handicap bow. His hurdle debut looked promising but the 2 subsequent runs were a tad disappointing in comparison. The switch here though to handicap company could work in his favour and he looks the pick of pack for this one if taking to this

Last up at Newbury its the 4.37 and I am going to side here with jockey Ben Jones who has a pretty solid record at this track. Our charge looked to be on a nice upward curve before a bit of poor one at Sandown last time (in an apprentice race) so hopefully with Jones onboard here we can get another big run. He has been well fancied in almost all his runs so there is clearly potential here, lets hope the young upcoming star can unlock it today

The All Weathers

Finishing up as ever with the all weather we have racing from Lingfield and I'm going for a punt here on the Roger Teal trained Whats in the Bag. He is out of Dark Angel and a half brother to a few winners so makes plenty of appeal on paper here for his debut run.

In the 4.15pm we have Menai Bridge who was 3 from 6 last year and a winner last time out over C&D. He goes up 2 for that win so I think that is still very workable for trainer Charlie Hills who has just the one runner at Lingfield for the day. He also have a nice low draw coming from stall 2 so I think he can go close. Coase is one I've followed before though and looks the big danger here

Rounding off my AW picks I am going to go with Aiguillette in the 5.20pm over a mile. He has been off for quite a while but trainer Gary Moore will have him ready for this one and I am hoping the break will have done him well so he can come in to this one fit and firing

Good Luck whatever you are backing and don't forget you can follow

#Oddsknows on Twitter @KnowsOdds for tips throughout the week and to keep

up to date with all the action from @TheCheekyPunts