Denman pulls out of Scottish Grand National

THE Coral Scottish Grand National has suffered a blow after Denman was ruled out of Saturday's race at Ayr.

This year's Gold Cup runner-up was due to carry top weight, but drying conditions in Scotland have derailed his challenge. The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser is instead poised to be rerouted to Punchestown, where he is being aimed at the Guinness Gold Cup on Wednesday week – as long as there is cut in the ground.

Joint-owner Paul Barber said: "It's disappointing as it looked a very good opportunity for him. But all the weather charts said there was not a drop of rain forecast so it was pointless waiting around."

Lucinda Russell's leading Scottish hope Silver By Nature has also been ruled out of the Ayr feature. He needs six weeks' box rest because of a chipped bone at the back of his knee.

Halcon Genelardais, runner-up to 2008 winner Iris De Balme, now heads the weights at the five-day entries stage.

The Alan King-trained horse is one of 40 remaining entries including last year's runner-up Gone To Lunch and two recent Cheltenham winners - Poker De Sivola (National Hunt Chase) and Chief Dan George (William Hill Trophy).

Scottish hopes rest with Merigo trained in Dumfriesshire by Andrew Parker.

CORAL'S LATEST BETTING

Poker De Sivola 6-1

Meanus Dandy 7-1

Chief Dan George 8-1

Faasel 12-1

Lochan Lacha 12-1

Hold The Pin 14-1

Killyglen 14-1

Theatrical Moment 14-1

Others 16-1 and above