The big jumps fixture from Ayr -- featuring the Scottish Grand National -- as well as top-class turf action from Newbury, and day two of the meeting at Thirsk, are the highlights this Saturday.

Scoop6 punters get yet another chance to win the big one following another rollover, with a total of seven races to be televised on Channel 4 from both Newbury and Ayr. Check Saturday's racing press for the nominated races.

It's a major day at the Scottish track, with Paul Nicholls holding several entries in the opening Future Champions Novices Chase over 2m 4f at 2.00. Thisthatandtother is the selection.

Thirty-eight entries held their ground at the midweek stage for the 4m 1f Scottish Grand National at 2.40, including several who ran in the Aintree showpiece -- among them Joss Naylor, Tyneandtyneagain and Shardam. Joss Naylor is trained by Jonjo O'Neill, who also has Native Emperor and Mini Sensation among the entries and the market may well be the best pointer to stable fancies.

However, I'll take an each way chance with Shardam, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davis and the mount of stable jockey Carl Llewellyn. The seven-year-old was quietly fancied at Aintree, but unseated early on, so should go into the race fresh.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle at 3.10 also features a strong hand of Paul Nicholls entries, of which Rigmarole appeals most. Note running and riding plans.

Martin Pipe could also come into the equation with either Westender or Copeland. The former is just preferred.

At Newbury, a Group 3 1m 4f stakes race kicks off the action at 1.40.

Mark Johnston's Bandari, Sir Michael Stoute's Gamut and David Loder's Pugin are all interesting entries. Gamut may just be the pick under Kieron Fallon. Then it's on to the Newbury Spring Cup at 2.15, in which I'll give an each way squeak to Brian McMahon's El Coto if the four-year-old goes to post after running unplaced in the Lincoln.

The two miles handicap at 2.45 looks wide open, though Andrew Balding's Distant Prospect, to be ridden by Martin Dwer, is an interesting proposition.

Trainer John Dunlop has started the season well and his three-year-old Spotlight can shine in the seven furlongs Dubai Duty Free Stakes at 3.15. Johnny Murtagh rides.

There's another Group 3 race over seven furlongs at 3.45 -- the Greenham Stakes. The Barry Hills-trained Fokine is well thought of, while Mick Channon's Jazz Scene can also enter calculations.

At Thirsk, David Loder is likely to run either Aleutian or Bonecrusher in the one mile conditions stakes at 3.00, while John Dunlop has also entered Maghanim, the intended mount of Willie Supple. Note any market moves.

In the feature six furlongs race at 4.05, local trainer Kevin Ryan can expect a big run from his stable star Halmahera, though David Nicholls' Fire Up The Band must also enter calculations if making a quick reappearance.

Ian Semple's Chookie Heiton and Jim Goldie's Orientor are not out of it either.

Racing got underway at Ripon on Thursday and I'll be reporting on the season ahead at our local turf track in next week's column.

Looking ahead to future racing in Yorkshire, Britain's longest handicap race on the flat, the toteplacepot Marathon Handicap Stakes over 2m 5f, is featured at Pontefract's annual on Monday, the course's second meeting of the season.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 2.40.