Scottish Grand National 2017

Another National to get stuck into and that means another five each way selections from me, coming into this on the back of a win and a fourth with One For Arthur (16/1) and Blaklion (14/1) in the English and a second place with Bless The Wings (20/1) in the Irish this one is just as tough but I did however tip up the winner in this last year in Vicente so hopefully I can do something again....

My first selection is Vintage Clouds (14/1) for Sue Smith and Danny Cook. The horse isn't the best of jumpers at times as his form shows with a late fall coming at the Ultima Handicap at the festival. However he has shaped as if mammoth trips could well be his thing. Sue Smith has been in great form this season and her partnership with Danny Cook has proved very effective. Trevor Hemmings horses as we know perform in all national and I think Vintage Clouds could well get into the frame.

The next selection is Trustan Times (16/1) for Mark Walford and Jake Greenall. Trustan Times has only had two runs following a 20 month absence however he returned with a win at Keslo over 2 miles 5 in a hurdle event which suggests he certainly still has a level of ability about him. He was third in this back in 2014 and a repeat of that run could certainly see him in the frame.

Third selection is one at a fairly juicy price in Dawson City (25/1) for Polly Grundy and Wayne Hutchinson. He was second in the Sussex Natonal over at Plumpton which suggests that he has got a bit in the tank for this mammoth trip. He's never really raced in any big fields like this which is a slight concern but he should stay and has often finished in the frame in a lot of his races.

Next up is a selection that would take the roof off the racecourse should it win in Alvarado (22/1) for Fergal O'Brien and Brian Hughes. He was second in this last year and this year's renewal has clearly been the plan again. Brian Hughes has had a brilliant season this term and a lot of his wins come up here so the partnership is a perfect one. He was also 6 pound higher when finishing second last year and despite not showing his best in the majority of his starts this campaign this has always been the plan.

The final selection is Arpege D'Alene (12/1) for Paul Nicholls and Sean Bowen. He was fourth in the National Hunt at the festival despite being far back in the field which certainly suggest that he can more than handle these mammoth distances. He has run some decent races throughout a busy campaign and a repeat of that Cheltenham run would certainly see him there or thereabouts in an arguably lesser race.