Lake View Lad in National contention

Early Aintree faller Lake View Lad tops 31 remaining hopefuls for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Nick Alexander’s grey, pictured, made it only as far as the first fence in Saturday’s Grand National and may be granted the opportunity to make amends in the Scottish equivalent eight days later.

Lake View Lad will carry top weight of 11st 12lb if taking part on Sunday, just above Harriet Graham’s hugely consistent top handicapper and new bigrace favourite Aye Right in a race which appears set to feature a strong home challenge.

In the notable absence from yesterday’s confirmations of the welltouted Galvin – Northern Ireland trainer Ian Ferguson’s Cheltenham Festival winner, unbeaten over fences this season – Takingrisks may yet bid to retain the crown he claimed in the last race back in 2019.

Nicky Richards’ veteran was pulled up behind Minella Times at Aintree two days ago but features among the possibles – alongside Sue Smith’s shock

Cheltenham Festival winner Vintage Clouds, in the Trevor Hemmings colours also worn by Lake View Lad.

Others who catch the eye, in a race whose maximum field is 30, are Paul Nicholls’ trio of Truckers Lodge, Highland Hunter and Soldier Of Love as well as Brian Ellison’s Eider Chase winner Sam’s Adventure and Notachance for Alan King.

Lucinda Russell bolsters the chances of an overdue home success, with her Midlands Grand National runner-up and Edinburgh National winner Mighty Thunder the likeliest of two contenders from her Perth and Kinross yard ahead of Big River.