Shotgun Willy unlikely to feature at Ayr
The weights are set to go up by 7lbs and Roach feels his charge would face a formidable task with 11st 12lbs.
If Shotgun Willy, who was pulled up when sent off 7-1 favourite for the Martell Cognac Grand National, defects then the weights will go up a further 16lbs with Stormez heading the handicap.
Roach said: “I don’t think he’ll go to Ayr and from now on his programme will be governed by where he gets soft ground. I think he needs a bit of a prod these days and we may put blinkers on him.”
Martin Pipe-trained Take Control, last year’s Scottish Grand National winner, is again reported on course for the £110,000 contest, as is stable companion Stormez.
Gunther McBride, third in the Scottish feature last year, missed the Grand National to wait for Ayr and will appreciate the current dry underfoot conditions.
He will be joined in the line-up by stable companion Enrique, who has not been seen out in public since he finished fifth in the 2002 Scottish Grand National.
“The plan is to run them both, all being well,” said trainer Philip Hobbs. “They both want fast ground. Enrique had a minor problem with a hind leg but is fine again now.”
Trainer Andy Crook exudes quiet confidence ahead of running his leading performer Ryalux.
The North Yorkshire-trainer has spent the past few days putting the finishing touches to a masterplan that was devised in February. He believes he has his improving chaser approaching the peak of performance, and admits to only one nagging concern.
“My only worry would be really fast ground, I just hope we get some rain as I wouldn’t want to risk him otherwise,”€ Crook said.
Ryalux, narrow runner-up to Barryscourt Lad in the Great Yorkshire Chase in January, has been laid out for Ayr since producing arguably his best performance when third to La Landiere in the Racing Post Chase the following month.
“I deliberately wanted to miss Cheltenham for this. The race has been the plan since he ran a cracker in the Racing Post,” Crook said.
Ryalux will be ridden again by Richard McGrath, who had partnered him both at Doncaster and Kempton.
