Greenhope for Ayr breeze

Published on Thursday 14 April 2005 14:08

AYR opens its Scottish Grand National meeting tomorrow with a cracking warm-up card and Greenhope could be the bet of the day.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old turns out in the Famous Grouse Novices’ Chase and he must have a big shout after an excellent run when sixth in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was at the head of affairs at the top of the hill and was still in contention jumping the last before fading on the run-in to be beaten just over ten lengths by the well-handicapped winner Fota Island.

Having finished second to useful types Made In Japan and Kadount before beating Mondul at Plumpton, Greenhope had shown a fair level of form before that and is well up to winning a decent prize. Brooklyn Breeze gets a chance to atone for his defeat in the Mildmay Of Flete at Cheltenham when he runs in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase and he should not be opposed.

Lenny Lungo’s eight-year-old looked to have the race in the bag when he scooted clear coming down the hill, but he ran out of petrol and ended up finishing only fourth behind Liberthine.

It was something of a surprise that he emptied in the straight as he had won over a longer trip before, but he was pushed clear some way out and it may just be that he needs to be ridden with a little more restraint.

The handicapper has certainly done him no harm by leaving him on the same mark, which is virtually inviting him to have another go, and he can get it right this time.

Mephisto was a major disappointment when he was sent off the odds-on favourite at Aintree last week, folding tamely in the straight to finish third behind Turpin Green, but he is worth another chance.

Before that the Howard Johnson-trained six-year-old, winner of the Ebor on the Flat, had looked a high-class recruit to the hurdling game and beat Faasel a head at Kelso last month.

Jockey Graham Lee reported that he had made a gurgling noise at Aintree and connections subsequently confirmed that he had swallowed his tongue, so the run is best forgiven.

The two-and-a-half miles of the Royal Bank Of Scotland Novices’ Hurdle should be just right for him to pick up the winning thread.

Coat Of Honour is unbeaten in three runs in the colours of multi-millionaire owner Graham Wylie, who also owns Mephisto, and he can keep that record in the West Sound Novices’ Hurdle.