Scottish Grand National Festival: Definitly Red ready to rock in Quarry Chase
Published:
David Metcalf | April 14, 2016
Definitly Red weighted to strike
Definitly Red has some strong form to his name and can take advantage fo what looks a lenient mark to land the Listed 2m 4f Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase on day one of the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival at Ayr (15:45).
The Brian Ellison trained seven-year-old scored in good style on his chasing debut at Catterick, and then ran a blinder when runner-up to Black Hercules in a Listed contest at Warwick.
Definitly Red made a couple of costly mistakes, but travelled well for much of the race and stayed on nicely to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths.
The winner is a well-regarded sort who is now rated 158 having gone on to land the Grade 1 JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and third home Emily Gray, who finished 20 lengths behind the selection, has come out and won twice since to be rated 148.
Strong form against classy sorts
That gives the form a solid look, and makes Definitly Red look leniently treated off a handicap mark of just 140.
The gelding has also since run very well to finish runner-up to subsequent RSA Chase winner Blaklion (now rated 154) in a decent Grade 2 contest at Doncaster, and although pulled-up last time out in the 4m National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival he travelled well for a long way.
Judged on that effort, Definitly Red will appreciate the drop back in trip, and this contest is an easier assignment in which he looks weighted to take all the beating.
Compensation awaits for Roycano
Roycano was a desperately unlucky loser last time out and can gain compensation by landing the 3m handicap hurdle (15:10).
The Mick Easterby trained gelding was cruising along at the head of affairs when unseating his rider two from home at Newbury and had yet to be asked any sort of question by jockey Harry Bannister.
There seems little doubt that the six-year-old would have won had he stayed on his feet and, prior to that, Roycano had looked miles ahead of the assessor when bolting up by 14 lengths at Fakenham off a mark of 103.
Although now 24lb higher in the weights, Roycano is clearly thriving and on a serious upward curve. The son of Lucano also hails from a shrewd yard, and looks the type who may have even more to offer.
Selections
14.00: Welsh Shadow
14.35: Apterix
15.10: Roycano (NB)
15.45: Definitly Red (NAP)
16.15: Monbeg River
16.45: Morello Royale
17.15: Some Are Lucky
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