TAKE a chance on North Yorkshire outsider King Killone ruling supreme in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr tomorrow.

Trained at Stillington by Harry Hogarth, the six-year-old is widely available at 33-1, but has a much stronger chance than those odds might indicate, especially as this extended four miles is expected to bring out the best in him.

Twice a winner in useful novice company this season, King Killone caught the eye on his handicap bow at Wetherby last month, running over an extended three miles.

Tapped for speed along the back straight, he stayed on really stoutly in the closing stages to be beaten little more than a length into third by Kerry Lads, who is in opposition again tomorrow, and Wildfield Rufo.

From carrying 11st 9lb at Wetherby, King Killone has only 10st to carry tomorrow, admittedly in much stronger company.

However, first-season novices have a good record in this famous race, and King Killone is sportingly napped to pull-off a sensational triumph for small-time trainer Hogarth and Malton jockey David O'Meara.

The Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices' Chase will also command a large audience and Monet's Garden, trained by Nicky Richards, will have support.

At Newbury, the Fred Darling Stakes for fillies and the Greenham Stakes for colts, present a stepping-stone to the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas.

Richard Hannon's Nasheej, winner of three of her five races as a juvenile, is fancied for the former, while talented French raider Reve Lunaire makes plenty of appeal in the other Classic trial.

At Thirsk, Moss Vale should not be overlooked in the £18,000 Michael Foster Memorial Conditions Stakes.

Formerly trained by Barry Hills and now with sprint king David Nicholls, Moss Vale has some high-class form and has the talent and potential to make a big name for himself this season after changing hands for big money last autumn.

Saturday's tips:

Ayr

1.50 Shamayoun, 2.20 Monet's Garden, 2.50 Arcalis, 3.30 King Killone (Nap), 4.05 The Luder, 4.35 Jacks Craic, 5.05 Stavordale Lad, 5.35 Skippers Brig.

Newbury

TV races: 2.10 Frank Sonata, 2.40 Zero Tolerance, 3.15 Nasheej, 3.50 Reve Lunaire.

Thirsk

2.30 Tokyo Joe, 3.05 Wigwam Willie, 3.40 Charlotte Vale, 4.15 Moss Vale, 4.45 Choysia, 5.15 Loch Verdi.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Bangor (National Hunt), Nottingham (Flat, evening) and Wolverhampton (Flat).

Updated: 12:08 Friday, April 21, 2006