Paul Nicholls’ Sam heads Ayr weights

Lucinda Russells Milnathorttrained Lie Forrit carries Scottish hopes at Ayr. Picture: Getty

SAM Winner heads the weights after 54 horses were left in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has been looking at this prestigious handicap chase over an extended four miles for Sam Winner when deciding to miss the Crabbie’s Grand National. He wanted to give the eight-year-old an extra week to recover after he was pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Apart from Cause Of Causes, who has been withdrawn after finishing eighth to Many Clouds at Aintree, the leading ante-post fancies have stood their ground.

They include Catching On, who is a possible final mount in the race for the soon-to-retire Tony McCoy. The combination came to grief in the Midlands Grand National last month when sent off 5-2 favourites.

Catching On is trainer Jonjo O’Neill’s only entry, while owner JP McManus will not have a runner now his three entries – Cantlow, Cause Of Causes and If In Doubt – were taken out.

Haydock’s Betfred Grand National Trial winner Lie Forrit could try to keep the prize in Scotland as he is trained in Milnathort by Lucinda Russell.

Last year’s winner Al Co could bid for back-to-back victories after unseating his rider at the first fence in the Grand National.

Others in the mix include Midlands National winner Goonyella, Hennessy runner-up Houblon Des Obeaux, Eider Chase victor Milborough and Baileys Concerto, who missed the cut at Aintree as first reserve.

At Kelso, Lord Brendy was a gutsy winner of the feature race for veteran Tyneside trainer Robert Johnson. Ridden by Peter Buchanan, the grey Newcastle raider saw off front-running Beeves by half a length in the Psigma Investment Management Handicap Chase (for the Haddington Jubilee Cup).

Johnson’s son and assistant Kenny said: “This is the horse that put me in hospital with a fall at Sedgefield in October and I’ve been out ever since. I still get blurred vision but I haven’t ruled out coming back just yet.

“We’ve always thought a lot of Lord Brendy and he could be an Aintree horse one day. It was a long way today and he saw it out well.”

Division two of the Langdale Bloodstock Handicap Handicap Hurdle went to James Ewart’s Lord Wishes under Dale Irving, who went on to complete a double in the last on Gurkha Brave.

Ewart said: “We were just grateful to get him back as he had a serious issue a wee while ago. I don’t know if he will be going back over fences but it’s wonderful to win any race at Kelso as it’s the local track and my favourite.”

The Cazenove Capital Management Bucceuch Cup Maiden Hunters’ Chase went to Harry Bannister-ridden Wayupinthesky for Hawick-based Gavin Hamilton.