Folsom Blue and Midnight Prayer each-way value in Coral Scottish Grand National
Published:
David Metcalf | April 15, 2016
Morris saddled Blue value to complete National hat-trick for trainer
Folsom Blue looks one of two lively outsiders that are decent each-way value in a cracking renewal of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday (16:10).
Trained in Ireland by Mouse Morris, who is bidding to bag a unique hat-trick having landed the Irish Grand National with Rogue Angel and the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree with Rule The World in recent weeks, nine year-old Folsom Blue has posted some really solid efforts in big and competitive handicaps this season.
Although having just one win to his name over fences, with that success coming in a Grand National Trial over 3m 4f at Puncestown back in February 2014, Folsom Blue is a thorough stayer and will relish this test of his stamina.
Solid efforts in ultra-competitive staying chases
Those notable also rans from Folsom Blue include an excellent 4 3/4 lengths third of 28 to Minella Foru at Leopardstown and a cracking six-length fourth of 27 to stable companion Rogue Angel in the Irish National at Fairyhouse last time out.
Folsom Blue may well have finished much nearer in the latter but for a costly mistake six out, and it was to his credit that he stuck to the task well to get so close.
It was performance which suggested the gelding had a big staying prize in him, and Folsom Blue is versatile as regards ground also enjoying the services of Andrew Ring in the saddle, who is good value for his 5lb claim and got a fine tune out of him in the Irish National.
Midnight Prayer nicely treated on pick of his form
Alan King gelding Midnight Prayer is nicely treated on the pick of his form, and his handler sent out Godsmejudge to win the Coral Scottish Grand National in 2013 and finish third the following year.
The 11-year-old has won four times and been placed twice in 10 starts over fences, showing a tremendous attitude when beating Shotgun Paddy by a neck in the 2014 running of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenam Festival off a mark of 139.
Midnight Prayer has been very lightly-raced since then and had just five starts, but showed he retained plenty of ability when getting back on the scoresheet on his penultimate outing when finishing alone at Exeter in atrocious conditions.
Far from disgraced at Cheltenham
The gelding was then far from disgraced last time out when seventh of 22 to Cause Of Causes in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, and would have finished closer but for a bad blunder four from home.
Midnight Prayer now meets the winner on better terms, and comes into the contest a fresh horse after just four starts this season.
The son of Midnight Legend is also now just 2lb higher in the weights than when winning the National Hunt Chase two years ago, and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Folsom Blue and Midnight Prayer both have plenty going for them and look worth each-way wagers in a top class renewal of the Coral Scottish Grand National.
