Nibbles leads Irish challenge at Ayr

There is a strong Irish contingent travelling to Ayr for the opening day of the Coral Scottish Grand National meeting on Friday.

County Antrim-based Stuart Crawford is responsible for Mister Nibbles in the opening West Sound Novices' Hurdle, and is hopeful he can make his presence felt.

Crawford said: "We were a bit disappointed with him the last day in Kelso. We think he's a fair bit better than that. We knew we had our work cut out to beat the winner (Clever Cookie), but we hoped we might give him a run for his money, but we were beaten a long way out.

"It looks a good race on Friday. Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls both have runners, but if they have an off-day and our horse has a really good day, hopefully he won't be far away."

Colin McBratney has two runners on the afternoon, with Quickasyoucan lining up in the Abbott Risk Consulting Novices' Handicap Hurdle and Back To Balloo taking his chance in the Porcelanosa Scotland Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

McBratney said: "He (Quickasyoucan) is a grand horse who jumps well and stays well and he's been waiting for this better ground. He has a nice weight and I'm expecting him to run a big race.

"Back To Balloo finished second the last day in very holding ground at Naas. I'd be expecting significant improvement from him as well on this nice ground. Hopefully they'll both give a good account of themselves."

Also flying the flag for Ireland is Romantic Fashion, trained in County Wicklow by Prunella Dobbs. The seven-year-old won at the track a month ago and is ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies in the Coral Backing Poppyscotland Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Dobbs said: "It's a step up in quality for her and we would probably prefer the ground a little bit softer, but she's in good form. She ran well at the track on her penultimate start and won there last time, so hopefully she can repeat that performance. She has a good rider on her back, so fingers crossed she runs well."