Tom Thurgood’s top tips for Thursday: Ruby set to shine for Richards

While we are all looking forward to the imminent start of Flat Turf season, the Randox Health Grand National countdown is well and truly on and top-weight Bristol De Mai now bypasses the race for a tilt at the Betway Bowl.

The weights for all other contenders in the Aintree showpiece now rise by 4lbs.

Will that stop Tiger Roll? Last year’s winner is now set to carry 11st 5lbs and only three horses have shouldered more weight since the great Red Rum’s third victory in 1977, yet two of those were fairly recent with Neptune Collonges carrying 11st 6lbs in 2012, and Many Clouds bearing 11st 9lbs in 2015.

Tiger Roll is not a strapping sort by any means, but he went through last year’s race with real style and, more importantly, has been in sizzling form and looks better than ever this season. His price will surely go out from the current 7-2 and, while the additional weight is not ideal, it is not a hammer-blow to his chances.

The weights rise looks more detrimental to the chance of stablemate Alpha Des Obeaux, who has been in great heart this season and now races from 11st 8lbs. Yet one Gordon Elliott runner that still appeals despite the weights rise is Jury Duty, the American Grand National winner who now carries 10st 11lbs.

He made an eye-catching reappearance at Down Royal, conceding 10lbs to Mala Beach, and eight-year-olds have a strong recent record since the course modifications. He has stamina to prove but has plenty else going for him.

It is fair to say the stakes are not as high on this quiet Thursday, a week to the day before the Aintree Festival gets under way.

Hopefully these go well and boost the balance before the big meeting.

Rubytwo has put up her two best performances the last twice and looks capable of winning a mares’ handicap off a rating of 104.

Her jumping, admittedly, is a slight concern, but she was still only just denied last time and the assistance of excellent 7lb claimer Danny McMenamin is a positive, as is the form the Nicky Richards yard is in at present.

This five-year-old ran a good race behind Dickie Diver on rules debut last time in a contest that is working out and looks a likely improver here.

A good jumper, though one for fences in time, he was quite keen throughout after a long absence and looked green but carried on nicely to the line under tender handling.

He has less experience than his market rivals who have also tried handicap company, but he can serve it up to these and is also one to note further down the line.

Although beaten 15 lengths last time, this tough mare did well to persist for as long as she did and by finishing second in a Listed race, connections achieved their ultimate aim.

Back in handicap company, she sneaks in at the bottom of the weights and the Edmunds yard has potential lines on Coup De Pinceau through Now McGinty and Theclockisticking.

While mostly campaigned against mares, her one piece of form not exclusively against her own sex was on chasing debut where she finished a good second behind Dandy Dan who won his next two starts and most recently from a mark of 140.

Coup De Pinceau is much feared back in calmer waters with blinkers now applied, but this consistent mare can give him something to think about in receipt of 6lbs.

Related to Champion Bumper winner Relegate, the five-year-old was runner-up on debut at Kelso when well-supported in the market, coming wide and running a bit green in the closing stages.

The winner, Mam Trasna, was behind Malone Road and Mt Leinster previously in one of best the early-season bumpers in Ireland, while the third, Fostered Phil, has subsequently run well for second at 14-1.

Glenduff is entitled to improve and Brian Hughes takes over from Ryan Day.