DRYING ground on day one of Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting has considerably boosted the chances of Major Sponsor (3.50) in the feature event of the afternoon, the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase.

Following an extremely lucrative autumn campaign, George Moore wrapped his stable-star up in cotton wool for the winter, sensibly waiting for the spring with the hope of a faster surface to operate on.

Moore's patience has finally been rewarded by a fair spell of weather on Scotland's West Coast, where conditions are now ideal for Major Sponsor to resume his winning ways.

As is the norm, a glut of southern raiders have crossed the border seeking to plunder the mouth-watering prize money on offer.

Martin Pipe is one trainer who has never been afraid of travelling his horses and in the light of recent form it's no surprise to see Majed (3.20) making the marathon journey up from Somerset.

Majed has improved hand-over-fist during the past couple of months and now stands on the brink of a four-timer, having won with a good deal of fuel left in the tank at Exeter ten days ago.

Admittedly he faces some pretty stiff opposition in the extended three-mile Allied Glass Novices' Handicap Hurdle, notably from the top-weight Hindiana. But Ferdy Murphy's six-year-old failed to sparkle on his latest outing at Aintree, a run that suggested he might have had enough for this term.

The £35,000 Group 3 John Porter Stakes tops the bill at Newbury with several distinctly useful mile-and-a-half performers taking part in the 13-runner line-up.

One of the big talking points of the contest is the reappearance of Gerard Butler's unbeaten Saddler's Quest, much-fancied for last year's Epsom Derby prior to an injury which sadly brought his season to a premature end in May.

He's clearly a smart colt, although possibly not quite good enough to beat off St Expedit (3.40), a four-year-old with the potential to really make his mark with the benefit of another year on his back.

Geoff Wragg's representative didn't really do himself justice during a busy Millennium, hitting the target only once in a lowly maiden at Pontefract.

St Expedit more than likely needed time in order to strengthen and an eight-month absence from the track could be exactly what the doctor ordered to muscle up his substantial frame.

In the earlier Dubai Duty Free Rated Stakes, Mark Johnston's Albuhera (2.40) can take advantage of an extremely tempting handicap mark.

Albuhera is a full-brother to none other than Bachir, successful in both the French and Irish 2000 Guineas. One victory in a poor Musselburgh race reveals the measure of inferiority compared to his illustrious near relative, but Albuhera might easily be about to make up for lost time.

The Showcase Handicap is full of ifs and buts, not least the effect of the draw in such a huge field.

Blistering early pace is the hallmark of Repertory (3.10), who might be able to poach an unassailable early lead whichever side of the course turns out to be riding the quickest