'Potentially well-handicapped' novice has Ayr options - but ground is key

Fantastikas more than halved in price to 12-1 with Paddy Power for Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National after confirmations on Monday, but his participation depends on the ground.

The going is described as good to soft at Ayr but the forecast is largely dry, apart from the chance of light showers totalling 3-4mm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Imperial Racing's novice chaser Fantastikas, who was a 25-1 shot on Monday morning, finished seventh in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival this month on good to soft, having won his previous start on heavy ground at Lingfield's Winter Million meeting.

Novices have won three of the last five Scottish Nationals, while Fantastikas's trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has landed the race three times with Captain Dibble in 1992, subsequent Grand National winner Earth Summit two years later and Hello Bud in 2009.

Fantastikas also has the option of a novice handicap chase on the card but connections are leaning towards the Scottish National if conditions are suitable.

3.35 Ayr Saturday: Coral Scottish Grand National confirmations and betting

Ian Robinson, founder of Imperial Racing, said: "We wanted rain and realistically his participation will depend on conditions – we're having a look at both races and he's potentially well handicapped for the Scottish National.

"It was probably more the better ground than anything that did for him at Cheltenham, but he still ran a good race.

"We'll see where we are with the ground on Thursday and make a call then. He does prefer slower ground and, although he handles better ground, it would give us a decision to make. He'd definitely be running if there was plenty of rain, but that doesn't look likely now.

"The extra trip would be a bonus for him, he'd have no problem staying."

Threeunderthrufive, Corach Rambler and last year's winner Mighty Thunder were among 19 horses scratched from the £150,000 race, along with Bristol De Mai and Highland Hunter, the latter also out of the Grand National with a leg injury.

Eclair Surf: Classic Chase winner could still run in the Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Emma Lavelle will not be represented at Ayr having taken out Eclair Surf, who remains in contention for Aintree, and the Sandown-bound Irish Prophecy.

Lavelle said: "I want soft ground for Eclair Surf – if there was a forecast of significant rain I may have had a dilemma, but as it is, it was a straightforward call. Irish Prophecy is probably not quite ready and the bet365 Gold Cup is more likely."

The Christian Williams-trained Kitty’s Light heads the betting with the race sponsors at 5-1 with stablemate Win My Wings next at 8-1. They are two of the 31 remaining possibles, with only bottomweight Strong Economy needing one runner not to be declared to make the cut.

The Henry Daly-trained Fortescue remains in contention for both Nationals, with the Scottish National meeting taking place the weekend before the Randox Grand National as a one-off due to the timing of Easter and the need to preserve a three-week gap between the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree.

On conditions, Ayr's clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said on Monday: "It's been a dry, sunny day but not overly warm. We've been watering selective areas today and we'll monitor the situation.

"There's a chance of light showers on Wednesday and Thursday but only three or four millimetres, so nothing significant. We're working towards starting on good to soft on Friday – it's set to be dry but only 9C over the weekend, so I wouldn't envisage it drying out too much once we're under way."

Coral Scottish Grand National

Coral: 5 Kitty's Light, 8 Win My Wings, 12 Stormy Judge, The Ferry Master, 14 Ashtown Lad, Fantastikas, Fortescue, History Of Fashion, Rightplacerightime, The Wolf, 16 Enrilo, Hewick, Innisfree Lad, Jersey Bean, Major Dundee, 20 bar

Read these next:

We've been aiming him at it all season' – Tony Martin on his big National hope

Jockey Conner McCann suffers multiple injuries in horror fall at Kelso

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here