Horse Racing: Life Ready to Give Nicholls Grand Day

The race between Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls for the trainers' title could be decided at Ayr today when these great rivals are responsible for the market leaders in the Gala Casinos Scottish Grand National.

Here it looks advantage Nicholls, though perhaps not with his ante-post favourite Cornish Rebel. The trainer's other runner Colourful Life, at twice the price of his stable companion, looks the value bet particularly if the rain stays away.

At his best on good ground and on a flat track, Colourful Life has won three of his six races since joining the Nicholls stable earlier this season, and he showed how useful he could be with conditions in his favour when running away with the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January.

Joe Tizzard, successful on Colourful Life (3.25) that day, may appear to be on the stable's second string. But there was never much doubt that Ruby Walsh would be required for Cornish Rebel, who is a tricky ride, tending to idle and hang under pressure.

Jockey bookings point to Comply Or Die being Pipe's No1. However, don't rule out a big run from Stormez, second here two years ago, who is blinkered for the first time.

NEWBURY 2.05: The Barry Hills stable has hit form this week, which is an added reason for siding with Dubai Success to repeat his victory in this race last season. The five-year-old, best when fresh, held off the 117-rated Gamut to win here 12 months ago.

AYR 2.15: Locksmith bounced back to form with an easy win here yesterday, but has more on his plate this time. Unless the heavens open, My Will is probably worth opposing, too. Good ground suits Fool On The Hill, however, and his jumping has improved since being teamed up with Paddy Brennan.

NEWBURY 2.35: Lincoln form is well represented by the three who followed Stream Of Gold home at Doncaster - New Seeker, Common World and Resplendent One. It is interesting that the Stream Of Gold stable sends out Desert Star for his first run in such a hot race as this since being gelded. Desert Star went close off a similar mark after a longer lay-off last season, and at 16-1 with Ladbrokes he is worth an interest.

AYR 2.45: Fresh from a recent win on the Flat, the versatile Far Pavilions can leave his Imperial Cup form behind provided the ground remains good. Given he beat Crystal D'Ainay in his novice days, Far Pavilions remains well treated over hurdles.

NEWBURY 3.10: A progressive two-year-old, Penkenna Princess can pick up where she left off. The Pivotal filly twice accounted for Favourita last autumn, and the latter did not let the form down when a close third in the Nell Gwyn Stakes.

NEWBURY 3.45: Just about the pick of these on the best of his juvenile form, Indesatchel showed he had trained on with an easy win at the Curragh. He can make fitness count against Andronikos and Galeota.