Megan Nicholls Racing Tips – Newbury & Ayr Scottish Grand National

BetMGM ambassador Megan Nicholls gives her thoughts on the horse racing world, bringing her insightful opinions and first-rate knowledge exclusively to our blog every week.

This time the former jockey – now a celebrated TV pundit – previews action at Ayr and Newbury.

But first, she’s been at the Breeze Ups… here is some insight into her week in the sport.

It’s been a busy week…

I've been up at the sales in Newmarket looking at some Breeze Ups.

At the Craven Sale, it's been a really good few days. I have seen some amazing figures and prices and have seen some proper horses go through the ring, so it was great to be there for that and to have viewed them all.

I did manage to strike lucky with one colt by Hello Youmzain, who will be going into training with Charlie Hills. That's really exciting - I'm looking forward to him being out on the track at some stage.

Being back on the flat scene, with the summer coming up, it's important to switch my knowledge over and it's been a real sharpener for me.

I rode out at trainer George Boughey's for a few days and his team and horses are looking really well. Things are starting to get a bit busier for everyone.

It's been a good week, and I'm very much looking forward to the flat starting to roll on now. It's something a bit different, and it's nice to update our readers on what's going on.

Saturday Racing Tips

Newbury 2.05 – Fred Darling Stakes

I'm really looking forward to this race. Relief Rally (5/2 joint fav) returns for new owners. She was obviously very sharp and one of the leading sprinters last season.

She won at Newbury over 5f in the Super Sprint. She stepped up in trip and won the Lowther Stakes over 6f, staying on well.

The way she runs suggests another step up would be fine but she would be into unknown territory.

On official ratings, she is the highest and she is so talented. She's small and she physically looked all a sprinter. Whether she's quite as trained on this year will be the question.

I do believe it will be between her and Regal Jubilee (5/2 joint fav), who is two from three and was impressive at Newmarket on her last start on very heavy ground, though she has won on good ground.

She's very versatile. She drops back to 7f for the first time, but that shouldn't be a problem. She gets ridden with a little bit of patience and cover to settle - if she can settle, she should go very well. I like this as a starting point, because on her return she will be quite fresh.

I'm just going to go with Regal Jubilee here. I can't wait to see Relief Rally back but the reason I am going against her is the unknown trip and we know that Regal Jubilee will see it out strongly.

Megan's Selection: Regal Jubilee WIN

Ayr 2.25 – Scottish Champion Hurdle

It's really competitive. The fact it's a handicap makes it even more so. Plenty of these are running having had tough enough races last time at Cheltenham and Aintree.

I think it's an open contest. I wouldn't dismiss Rubaud (9/1), who carries top weight but he's fresh and he's been aiming for this.

He gets back on better ground, which is a massive positive for him. He won this race last year, albeit off a lighter weight, but he massively improved. Because he's been aiming for this race, I think he's got a real chance.

I believe it's going to be dry between now and Saturday, which helps, and if it remains dry he won't disgrace himself by any means.

L'eau Du Sud (3/1 fav) is the obvious one at the top of the market having run so well the last twice in big field handicaps.

He obviously had a tough race at Cheltenham in the BetMGM County Hurdle and he only went up three pounds for that. I think, for him, the softer the better.

So two different types of horse there, in terms of ground, which could just be a big telling point for the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

Megan's Selection: Rubaud WIN

Newbury 2.40 – Greenham Stakes

I am really interested in Ballymount Boy (11/2), who was a real flag bearer for Adrian Keatley last year. He did very well and put some strong form together.

We know for him that 7f isn't an issue. He was second in the Acomb Stakes over that trip. Arguably the ground that day (good-to-firm) was just a bit quick for him. I think he has a huge chance on his return and I'm looking forward to seeing him back in action.

He's the pick of Wathnan Racing's stable jockey James Doyle over their other runner in the race, Mister Sketch (9/1), so I think that's definitely something that needs noting.

It's a wide-open race and plenty of these horses will improve as three-year-olds having had a winter on their back just to strengthen up on a bit of time off.

The paddock could tell us a lot when we're looking at them but I'm very much looking forward to seeing Ballymount Boy back in action. It would be great to see him landing a big race for Adrian Keatley.

Megan's Selection: Ballymount Boy WIN

Newbury 3.15 – Spring Cup

I'm going to keep it fairly simple here and go with Lattam (15/2 fav) for Julie Camacho and Ryan Sexton.

He ran a huge race in the Lincoln on his stable debut and Julie does so well with this type of horse. He enjoys the ground being on the slow side and finished second when running on in the Lincoln. He was a real eye-catcher.

He has fitness on his side over one or two others who are back running back for the first time this season.

Interestingly, Look Back Smiling (11/1) won the Spring Mile last month – the second division, if you like, of the Lincoln. Now, trainer Gemma Tutty had a brilliant day that day, though she's had a quieter time of runners recently.

But Look Back Smiling is another who likes soft ground. He's 14/1 and he has got to improve again but he could well be an each-way price. He's got a really low weight on his back – 8st 3lb including Laura Coughlan's claim.

So keep an eye on Look Back Smiling each way. But keeping it simple – I'm going Lattam to win.

Megan's Selection: Lattam WIN; Look Back Smiling EW

Ayr 3.35 – Scottish National

Willie Mullins has sent a big team over, which makes the Trainers Championship so interesting. He's got a really strong cohort of horses coming.

Mr Incredible (15/2) unseated in the Grand National. He's had no luck in that race the last two years. This is a quick turnaround for him.

Macdermott (6/1 fav) ran well at Fairyhouse but is totally into unknown territory in terms of trip. He's well-weighted, however and I think I'm going to keep things fairly simple.

Anglers Crag (8/1), who goes for Brian Ellison, is a talented horse who is still improving.

He managed to recover to win the Eider Handicap Chase following a really bad mistake, and last year we obviously saw Kitty's Light do the Eider and Scottish National double.

I think this horse can do the same. I still think he's competitive off this mark with only 10st 4lbs on his back. So I think he has a huge chance.

Of those bigger prices, Broken Halo (50/1) may be able to outrun his odds providing he settles early doors. Again, he's another who is trying a new trip, but if he settles, he won’t be totally out of it and 50/1 could be a good each-way price.

Megan's Selection: Anglers Craig WIN; Broken HALO EW

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