Joe all set to go at Ayr

● Reigning champ entered for Scottish Grand National

Last year’s winner Joe Farrell is among the 67 entries for this year’s running of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained ten year-old returned to form at Newbury on Saturday when second to Chic Name in a three mile two furlong handicap chase. Although he holds an entry in the Grand National he looks more likely to head to Ayr to defend his crown. Last year’s runner-up Ballyoptic, beaten only a nose, could reoppose. The sponsors make Joe Farrell 10-1 joint favourite with Alan King’s Dingo Dollar. Among other notable entries is Beware The Bear, winner of the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham earlier this month. The nine year-old is one of two Nicky Hendersontrained horses entered for the £215,000 contest, the other being Vyta du Roc.

Crosshue Boy, who won the inaugural running of the £100,000 three mile Novices’ Handicap Chase on Coral Scottish Grand National Day last year, could make a return trip from Ireland to compete in the big race this year.

Scottish-based entries include Lucinda Russell’s Big River, fourth in the Cheltenham race won by Beware The Bear, and Geronimo from the Sandy Thomson yard.

West country trainer Colin Tizzard has Sizing Codelco and Royal Vacation entered while Paul Nicholls has three entries, including Give Me a Copper, who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jeremy Kyle.

The main supporting contest on the day, the £105,000 CPMS Scottish Champion Hurdle has attracted 41entries with the 2016 winner Ch’tibello fresh from his success in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham the top rated.

Meanwhile, top-weight Bristol De Mai has been scratched from the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree

The Nigel Twiston-daviestrained grey was due to carry the burden of 11st 10lb. However, having run his best race at Cheltenham to date when third behind Al Boum Photo in the Magners Gold Cup earlier this month, connections have decided to run the dual Betfair Chase hero in Aintree’s Betway Bowl on Thursday week.

Twiston-davies said: “He’s fine and the plan is to run in the Bowl. It was just decided that on his Gold Cup form he ought to win the Bowl and it’s possibly the easier option.”