Saturday’s Racing Tips – No Alibi to be a class above rivals on debut at the Curragh

I have few words to describe the performances of both selections yesterday, with both running horrendously under what I expected. 

We have some good racing on offer on Saturday, with the Scottish Grand National and Scottish Champion Hurdle being the two main races that stand out at the meeting.

Cairnzy's Tips

No Alibi 2/1 – Curragh 1.50

Backing debutantes on the flat at this stage of the season is always risky, but I'm willing to take the chance that Paddy Twomey's No Alibi can be a class above this field on debut.

Before we even talk about the horse, I think it's worth noting the current form of Paddy Twomey, who is currently operating at a very healthy 38% S/R within the last 14 days. Billy Lee also takes the ride, which is another positive factor in itself.

Given we have zero form to go on with my selection, It was simply a tick box exercise on breeding, and after looking at this horse's profile, he did indeed tick a lot of boxes for me as being a potentially smart sort. No Alibi is an American-bred filly out of Blame, who was a top-notch dirt horse over in the US. On pedigree, this horse should appreciate the forecast good ground at the Curragh tomorrow and the trip of 6f should be right up her street.

Western Diego 3/1 – Ayr 1.10

Trainer Willie Mullins has sent an army over to Ayr this weekend, and as expected, he holds strong hands in a lot of races.

I do like a few of his runners in the National itself, and Ethical Diamond surely has a good chance in the Scottish Hurdle, but it was his runner Western Diego in the opener that caught my eye.

My selection finished a good second at Punchestown recently behind a decent sort in Springt De La Mare from the Gavin Cromwell yard. Western Diego was 3L back in second on that occasion, but that was only his third start over fences, and I thought he did well to finish as close as he did, given his tendency to jump out to the right that day. A return to a left-handed track will aid his chances, and I thought a mark of 134 was possibly underestimating his potential ability.

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