SD's Racing Ramble: 50/1 Scottish National wager and the idyllic flat season schedule

Written by: SD Racing Services

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This week's edition focuses on the upcoming flat season and a 50/1 fancy for the Scottish Grand National.

A truncated start to the flat season this weekend means we start on something of a whimper but things really swing into action with pace in a few weeks. 

I do hope, dear reader, that you know me well enough by now that rather than scratching one’s nether regions at home watching the racing, it is so much better to be there. 

With this in mind, I have ably assisted you in exactly where to go flat racing this year.

SD’s month-by-month guide to the 2025 Flat season.

April

Head to Redcar on Easter Monday 21st. The opening gambit is not promising, with the car park through a graveyard, but a friendly welcome awaits you. 

A straight mile is a nice sight and the pies, available for £5 when I was last there are the height of gastronomy.

May 

1,000 Guineas Day on May 4th sounds like a nightmare on paper, but it is not at all. Drunken yobs aren’t really there on the Sunday and you can move around without umbrage. 

The quality of horses on show and the view from the head on stand are unrivalled.

June 

Sod Ascot and York with their antiquated dress codes and divert north to the Carlisle Bell on the 25th instead. First contested in 1599, it survives to this day. 

The card is festooned with quality and features a listed race and The Cumberland Plate too. The pies, like Redcar are beautiful and a wonderful day should ensue. 

One last thing to note. Carlisle is at the top of a hill, so wrap up warm.

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July

Goodwood divides opinions with its high admission prices and bourgeoisie outlook, but the fact remains that you’re filled with a sense of contentment looking over the tranquil Sussex  Downs. 

The Tuesday (on the 29th this year) is not well attended, but features some lovely racing, with the Goodwood Cup taking centre stage.

August

My favourite flat race of the year is the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon.

It’s a proper race, usually has a nice draw bias for punting purposes and is at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse on the 16th. Ripon is awash with flowers, a brass band and a wonderful view awaits you.

September

Norfolk is a lovely county. The pace of life is a bit like Just So – slow and honest when finishing second in the Grand National of 1994. 

I suggest you go to all three days of the Eastern Festival (16th to 18th September) at Yarmouth. It lacks the pomposity of several bigger days at larger tracks, but is wonderfully enjoyable. The fish man serves lovely cockles and life seems good when you’re at Yarmouth. 

Maybe don’t stay in Great Yarmouth, it is a dump, but the broads and Cromer are places of joy.

October

Stuff France. Stuff Ascot. My favourite race of October is the Catterick Dash at, you’ve guessed it, Catterick. 

Run on October 18th this year, there have been considerable improvements made in the form of lovely new bars at eateries. But the Gods Solution bar, under the main stand is lovely. 

Catterick oozes character and it is to be hoped that rumours of all weather from 2028 are unfounded.

Then, from November onwards, go jumping. Doncaster is a soulless place at the beat of times for the November Handicap.

50/1 hope could prove quite a Story

Weights for the Scottish Grand National came out yesterday. There are any number of possibilities but it may pay to chance Your Own Story at sporting odds of 50/1. 

He’s looked lethargic and slow in recent times, but he went with much more vim and vigour at Kelso last Saturday. I would surmise that connections would retain the first-time visor and he is largely agnostic as regards to ground. 

He was joint favourite for this two years ago and appeals as a likely type for Scottish connections, who will want to win this. 

If the visor works again and keeps him interested, he has definite claims. He stays longer than the mother in law.

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