Punchestown date for Denman
This year’s Gold Cup runner-up was due to carry top weight in the Ayr feature, but drying conditions in Scotland have derailed his challenge.
The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser is instead poised to be rerouted to Ireland, where is he is being aimed at the Guinness Gold Cup on Wednesday week – as long as there is cut in the ground.
Joint-owner Paul Barber said: “It’s disappointing as it looked a very good opportunity for him.
“But all the weather charts said there was not a drop of rain forecast so it was pointless waiting around.
“Even if Ayr watered it would have been good to firm whatever happened, so Paul wanted to tell everyone what we were doing in advance.
“We should hopefully be OK at Punchestown as they tend to get a lot more rain over there.”
Barber also said Grand National hero Tony McCoy is likely to ride Denman in Ireland.
McCoy finished second on the 10-year-old gelding at Cheltenham in March and is set to deputise for the injured Ruby Walsh.
The absence of Denman and several others at the top of the handicap at the five-day stage means the Scottish Grand national weights have gone up by 29lb.
However, the Denman team still look to have a leading contender in Meanus Dandy. The lightly-raced seven-year-old won at Sandown last month.
Hopes of a Scottish-trained winner were dealt a blow with news that Silver Nature misses the race. The Lucinda Russell-trained grey, runner-up in the Welsh National and winner of the Blue Square Gold Cup, has chipped a bone at the back of his knee.
The weights are now headed by the Howard Johnson-trained Killyglen on 11st 12lb followed by two previous Welsh National heroes in Halcon Genelardais (11st 9lb) and Miko de Beauchene (11st 8lb) and Racing Post victor Razor Royale (11st 8lb).
The Jimmy Moffatt-trained Chief Dan George (11st 7lb), fifth last year and winner of the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham last month, stands his ground but also has the Bet365 Gold Cup as an option.
Another Festival winner among the latest acceptors is National Hunt Chase scorer Poker De Sivola (10st 11lb).
Meanwhile, Backstage could go to Perth next week after making an untimely exit in the John Smith’s Grand National.
Gordon Elliott’s charge was in contention when parting company with Davy Condon after being hampered by the loose horse My Will at the 20th fence.
Now his trainer is looking at a three-mile conditions chase for the eight-year-old, whose record at Perth is two wins and a second from three starts.
“He’s come out of the race grand. There’s a race in Perth for him next week. He might go for that,” said the Co Meath handler.
“He was travelling well when he tipped up. He’s got plenty of years left in him hopefully and we’ll have chance to try again.”
