Scottish Grand National favourite Galvin ruled out of Ayr assignment

Cheltenham Festival winner Galvin, who headed the ante-post market for Sunday's Coral Scottish Grand National, has been ruled out of a tilt at the Ayr highlight, with trainer Ian Ferguson opting against giving the National Hunt Chase hero another run this season.

The Ronnie Bartlett-owned seven-year-old, who rewarded connections' patience by landing his long-range festival target last month under Jack Kennedy, was priced between 4-1 and 9-2 to add the rearranged Grade 3 handicap to his CV on Sunday.

Ferguson, who took over the training of the prolific winner after the horse's previous trainer Gordon Elliott had his licence suspended over a controversial photograph, said on Monday: "Once we decided to miss the Irish Grand National, we felt we'd give Ayr a miss too. He's a sound horse and has taken his racing well, but he seems to appreciate a break between his races. His best form is when he's fresh."

Scottish Grand National card

He added: "Galvin has had a fantastic time of things and has been very well placed. He came out of Cheltenham healthy and well but he's been roughed off for a break."

The 154-rated chaser looked to have leading claims of continuing a dominant spell for Irish-trained horses in Britain, and former stablemate Escaria Ten, now trained by Denise Foster, was another high-profile absentee from Monday's 31 confirmations. Eurobot and Mister Fogpatches are the remaining Irish entries.

Escaria Ten (maroon cap): finished third to Galvin in the National Hunt Chase at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Prior to the news of Galvin's absence, the McNeill family-owned Escaria Ten had been a general 10-1 chance for the 4m test, although he appeared unlikely to run considering he was pulled up before the last when held in last week's BoyleSports Irish Grand National.

Recently retired four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson could be involved in a National winner, as he bred Eider Chase scorer Sam’s Adventure, who is set to take his chance on Sunday for Brian Ellison.

Ellison has one eye on the forecast though, with Sam’s Adventure best suited by cut in the ground. The going was described as good to soft on Monday.

Ellison said: “He does want some cut in the ground but at this stage he runs. The more juice, the better his chance. He’s in very good form and has been progressive this year. He’s won two nice races and when he unseated Ryan [Mania] in the Peter Marsh he would have at least been second.

“We’re hoping he’ll be a Grand National horse for next year and we know he stays. I bought him from Richard Johnson at the sales and he’s probably the best horse he’s bred. I rang Richard the other day to wish him good luck and we had a nice chat about Sam’s Adventure.”

Clerk of the course Graeme Anderson hopes to keep the going as good to soft, with watering under way at the track.

He said: “We’re watering to maintain the ground and expecting a dry week. There was supposed to be some showers on Tuesday but they’re not now in the forecast.

“We will be aiming for good to soft ground on Friday and with the extra day it will help us a bit to get some water on the track on Saturday to try and keep it the same for both days.”

Aye Right is the 8-1 favourite with the race sponsors to give trainer Harriet Graham a famous 'home' victory, with Dingo Dollar next best at 10-1 for fellow Scottish-based trainer Sandy Thomson alongside Cheltenham Festival hero Vintage Clouds.

Scotland is set to be well represented in the marathon contest with nine entries trained in the country. Only two Scottish runners contested the race when it was last run in 2019, with the Lucinda Russell-trained Big River a potential runner again this year.

Coral Scottish Grand National betting

Sponsors: 8 Aye Right, 10 Dingo Dollar, Vintage Clouds, 12 Sam's Adventure, Soldier Of Love, The Ferry Master, 14 Eurobot, Mighty Thunder, Mister Fogpatches, Notachance, 16 bar

Read more:

Former Elliott-trained Galvin triumphs for new yard in National Hunt Chase

Cheltenham Festival fancy Galvin moves to Ian Ferguson from Gordon Elliott yard

Scottish Grand National moved to Sunday as mark of respect to Duke of Edinburgh

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