NINE De Sivola has been called plenty of names in the past but is fancied to finally silence the doubters in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The eight-year-old is still without a victory after 17 starts over fences, but filled the runner-up spot on seven of those occasions, including when beaten just half a length by stable companion Hot Weld in this contest two years ago.

Injury intervened following that fine effort as the French import spent some 19 months on the sidelines.

Nine De Sivola appeared as good as ever when second to smart sorts in Companero and Will Be Done on his first two starts back, but he then disappointed at Sandown and Ayr.

His recent staying-on third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham was much more like it, however.

Like so many of Ferdy Murphy’s inmates, it looks as though the gelding is only now coming to the boil.

Paul Nicholls’ Classic Swain can make it third time lucky over timber in the second division of the Bathwick Tyres Supports Heroes Maiden Hurdle at Wincanton tomorrow.

The French import cut no ice behind Starluck on his hurdling debut but shaped much better last time, when second at Wincanton.

With his jockey, Harry Skelton, still on a high after his Irish National success, he is likely to take all the beating.

Vocalised was mightily impressive on his reappearance at the Curragh and can make a worthwhile journey from Ireland by taking the Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes at Newbury today.

Jim Bolger’s colt won once from two starts as a juvenile, but looked a much-improved performer when scoring as a well-backed favourite on his return to action.

Vocalised obviously has more on his plate in this Classic trial, but Bolger is a master trainer and would not be pitching his charge into this company if he did not think he was up to the task.

The County Carlow maestro appears to have every chance of completing a double, with his smart filly Maoineach taking her chance in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

The daughter of Congaree looked an animal with a massive future when winning a Group Three contest on her debut, but appeared to find conditions a little too testing when last of 16 in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

There was plenty to like about her comfortable comeback victory at Leopardstown, however, and it would be no surprise to see her take high rank among three-yearold fillies this season.

King Of Dixie won with any amount in hand at Kempton last month and looks certain to give another good account in the Doncaster Mile.

William Knight’s charge mixed it at a pretty decent level last season, so it came as no surprise when he won by the cosiest of lengths on his return to action.

The likelihood of fast ground will hold no fears and he will be very hard to beat.

There is a disappointing turnout of just five for Lingfield’s feature event, the Derby Trial Here 9th May Conditions Stakes.

David Nicholls saddles two of those in Masta Plasta and Peace Offering, but the former has never won first time out and the latter is now a nineyear- old.

Frank Sheridan’s Icelandic is no spring chicken at seven but appears to be still on the upgrade and has won on an artificial surface in the past.

The fact that Nicholls has decided to keep The Nightingale in training at this late stage of the season should be noted in the toteplacepot Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford.

Having slipped up after the last with the race at his mercy at Exeter in October he then made no mistake at Taunton in November.