Killyglen heads full field of 30 for Scottish Grand National

Howard Johnson's eight-year-old will carry top-weight of 11st 12lb in the Ayr marathon having finished second in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last time.

Ante-post favourite Poker De Sivola takes his chance for Ferdy Murphy, who is looking for his fourth win in the race having previously been successful with Paris Pike (2000), Joes Edge (2005) and Hot Weld (2007).

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is represented by the strongly fancied Meanus Dandy, while last year's runner-up Gone To Lunch bids to go one better for Jeremy Scott.

The Dessie Hughes-trained Montero is the sole Irish challenger, Himalayan Trail bids for his third successive win and Scots Dragoon is an interesting contender for Nicky Henderson.

Chief Dan George is an expected absentee, while others who have been taken out include Air Force One, Ballyfoy and the Tony Martin-trained duo of Lochan Lacha and Hold The Pin.

Fine By Me is 31st in the list for the feature event and is the reserve runner.

Halcon Genelardais has been given some relief from the handicapper since finishing seventh in the Welsh National in December and his trainer Alan King is hoping a break has freshened up his ten-year-old. "Halcon Genelardais worked on Wednesday morning and though the ground is drying up, he will take his chance," the trainer told his website www.alankingracing.co.uk.

"He was second in the race two years ago off a 19lb higher mark, and he has been dropped 7lb since his last run in the Welsh National at Chepstow in December."

The two-day National meeting kicks off at Ayr this afternoon with old-stager Mister McGoldrick napped to win the feature event, the 28,000 Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase.