Horse Racing: Chief Dan out of Scottish National

ANOTHER leading fancy for the Coral Scottish Grand National, Chief Dan George, has dropped out of Saturday's big race following an unsatisfactory blood test.

Jimmy Moffatt's stable star was one of the favourites for the Ayr marathon, in which he was fifth last year, thanks to his win in the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He also held an entry in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown the following weekend.

"We made a decision between Maurice Chapman, (owner), myself, Paddy Aspell (jockey) and my father. We took a blood test on him and his blood is not quite up to the standard we would want," said the Cartmel trainer. "We have decided to put him out in a field and look forward to next season with some relish. He's done us proud this year. Next year the world is our oyster."

Leading owner Sir Robert Ogden is set to be represented in the race by the Martin Todhunter-trained That's Rhythm and Nicky Richards' According To John.

At Newmarket yesterday, Mick Channon's Music Show showed an excellent turn of foot when winning of the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes.

The 6-1 chance was settled in midfield early on by Kieren Fallon but was forced to come wide to make her challenge. She had all of her rivals in front of her passing the two-furlong marker but quickened to the front to beat Blue Maiden by half a length.

Barry Hills' Red Jazz, ridden by the trainer's son Michael, had not been seen on a racecourse since finishing third to Arcano in the July Stakes, but won in style at 11-2 in the Bluesquare.com European Free Handicap.

Coordinated Cut's campaign will now be geared towards the Investec Derby as he overcame trouble under Jamie Spencer to land the 250,000 Tattersalls Timeform 3-Y-O Trophy.

Marcus Tregoning's Rumoush won the Fielden Stakes, with Henry Cecil's well-touted Oaks favourite Timepiece only fourth.