Talk has Ayr date

Idle Talk is on course for Saturday’s Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Last seen when making Star De Mohaison pull out all the stops in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the seven-year-old has been saved for a tilt at the Ayr marathon.

A winner of four of his eight career starts to date, trainer Tom George is believes the trip of four miles and one furlong should be right up his street.

“Everything is looking good at this stage and he is an intended runner,” said George.

“His run at Cheltenham pleased me and it also proved that he can show his form on good ground – he loved it and his jumping seemed to improve for it.

“He can also go in the soft but he wouldn’t want it too firm.

“We have no excuse for his poor display at Lingfield (before Cheltenham) but you can forgive one bad run. Other than that he has always done everything we have ever asked of him.

“I think that day the ground was just like glue. He couldn’t jump out of it and I don’t know what was wrong. I think we’ll just put a line through it.

“He’s looked a real stayer in the making so you would think that the trip wouldn’t be a problem.

“The ground should be fine and he’s a novice and they have a good record in this race so we are hopeful of a big run.”

Idle Talk is currently available at 12-1 for Saturday’s race.