Dobbin a good bet for double

Published on Thursday 20 April 2006 11:42

SATURDAY'S Scottish National will be the richest race ever run north of the Border and the two-day meeting looks set to get off to a flyer tomorrow with top southern stables sending plenty of runners and top riders in action.

But it should pay to stick with local "expert" Tony Dobbin who has a fantastic record here with 59 winners from 162 rides in the past five seasons for an incredible 36 per cent. Dobbin can land a double beginning with According to John in the Royal Bank of Scotland Novices Handicap Hurdle (2.20pm). The gelding has won all three of his races so far in the style of a progressive youngster and can extend the sequence here for trainer Nicky Richards who also has an excellent record on this track.

The six-year-old made a successful debut over hurdles at Newcastle before Christmas, followed up over this course and distance in January and duly completed his hat-trick at Haydock.

Armaguedon can defy top weight in the Ayr Novices Handicap Chase (2.55pm) to give Dobbin a brace of winners on his favourite racecourse. Two of the gelding's four career wins have come on this track and include a bumper three seasons ago after which he finished a highly creditable third when favourite for a championship bumper at Chepstow at Christmas 2002.

He was runner-up on his hurdling debut at Catterick a year later before making all the running to win a novice hurdle on this course, after which he was injured and off the track for 18 months.

Trainer Lennie Lungo nursed the gelding back to fitness and Armaguedon was well fancied to make a successful debut over fences on his chasing debut here last December, only to fall when in the lead at the sixth fence. He made amends with a win at Newcastle in January and has not run since, but Lungo has had this event as the target for some time and I am sure the eight-year-old will be primed and ready.

Champion trainer-elect Paul Nicholls and stable jockey Ruby Walsh will have plenty of fancied runners and Geeveem can take the Conference at Ayr handicap hurdle (3.25pm).

The six-year-old is unbeaten in three races to date, scoring in an Irish point-to-point before joining Nicholls. A successful debut at Wincanton was followed by an impressive success at Chepstow and he looks a smart recruit. Elsewhere, Aston Lad has been ultra consistent this term, winning three of his six races and finishing second twice. He can score again in the West Sound Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (5.35pm).

Mickey Hammond trained his dam to win on the flat, over hurdles and over fences and Aston lad opened his account here in November. Since then he has scored twice at Wetherby despite climbing 21lbs in the ratings.

This two and a half miles is his perfect trip and jockey Dougie Costello has also been in good form of late.

• Joe Rowntree's selections: 2.20 According to John; 2.55 Armaguedon; 3.25 Geeveem: 5.35 Aston Lad.

Evening News Selections

AYR: 2.20 According To John, 2.55 Armaguedon, 3.25 Geeveem, 3.55 Diamond Sal, 4.30 Horus, 5.00 Parkinson, 5.35 Oran Outan.

KEMPTON: 7.00 Rippling River, 7.28 Awatuki, 7.56 Dictalex, 8.24 Divine White, 8.52 Uhoomagoo, 9.20 Berkhampstead.

NEWBURY: 1.40 Suhayl Star, 2.10 Arsad 2.45 Salute Him, 3.15 Note Bene, 3.45 Hazeymm, 4.20 Distinctive Look, 4.50 Evolve, 5.25 Dragon Dancer.

SEDGEFIELD: 5.15 No Commission, 5.45 Ewe Beauty, 6.15 Sconced, 6.45 Pay Attention, 7.15 Winds Supreme, 7.45 The Longfella.

THIRSK: 2.30 Spoof Master, 3.05 Tamagin, 3.35 Orpen Wide, 4.10 Riquewihr, 4.40 Desert Commander, 5.10 Buachaill Dona, 5.40 Lucksin.

NEWS DOUBLE: Armaguedon and Uhoomagoo.

MAJOR'S BEST:Armaguedon.