Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips : "He looks the best bet"

There are one or two of interest in this race, but the excellent form of the Nicky Richards yard leads me to choosing the top weight, President Scottie. 

This seven-year-old took well to fences last season and was placed four times in succession before being badly hampered and pulling up on his final start. 

Perhaps significantly, he produced his best effort on his seasonal debut last year and, given the current yard form, it seems likely he will produce another good effort on his return here.

President Scottie has run several good races at this track, which includes a victory over hurdles, plus gets on well with Danny McMenamin. This might well be the best time to catch the selection while he is fresh and enthusiastic. 

Ian Duncan’s consistent mare returned from a five-month absence in October and ran one of her best races when finishing second at Perth in a slightly higher grade than this. 

She landed a 0-110 handicap hurdle at Kelso in April and she is now only a pound higher here, so her chance after that good reappearance effort is obvious. 

Her yard had a winner on Monday, so the signs are positive that she will improve from her recent start, and she certainly won’t go off at 25-1 for this modest event. 

Lundi Noir looks a solid bet in this as the handicapper seems to have given Tom Lacey’s charge every chance of scoring by leaving him on the same rating that he finished an excellent third off on his reappearance, and handicap debut, at Chepstow in October. 

That was only his second run after a win in a juvenile contest last season where he jumped notably well for a newcomer. 

The winner of the Chepstow race was race fit, and scored on his next outing plus the second improved again next time out.

With the exception of the top weight, the opposition here looks modest, and largely exposed, so this trip to Scotland looks inspired, and Lundi Noir is my best bet of the day.