Strong field in prospect at Scottish National

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has several entries, including Rocky Creek, winner of the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot in February, while Nigel Twiston Davies, who has trained three previous winners of the race, looks likely to send Same Difference, winner of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.

Big Occasion, winner of the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, will represent the powerful David Pipe yard and Donald McCain has five entries, including Our Mick, runner-up in the JLT Speciality Chase at Cheltenham.

Raymond Anderson Green, owner of Merigo – who won the race in 2010 and 2012 but retired this week – has entered Rival D’Estruval, a faller two out in the John Oaksey Chase at Cheltenham, who has been installed as the 8-1 favourite by the race sponsors.

Big Occasion, winner of the Midlands Grand National for trainer David Pipe, is one of three 12-1 co-second favourites, along with the Donald McCain-trained Our Mick and Rocky Creek, from Paul Nicholls’ stable.

Nicky Henderson’s Hadrian’s Approach, who was third in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, is among a host of horses on 14-1.

“Rival D’Estruval, who was still right in contention when falling in the National Hunt Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, looks to have Ayr as his target,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“He heads the betting to give his owner Ray Green further success in the race his Merigo won twice, while Big Occasion is another who has proved his liking for a marathon trip when scoring at Uttoxeter.”

The main supporting race on the day, The QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle, has 35 entries, including Prospect Wells, trained by Nicholls, last year’s winner Raya Star, from the Alan King yard, Nicky Henderson’s Forgotten Voice and Une Artiste and Irish raider Silk Hall, from the James Lambe stable.