Take The Stand to race in Scottish National

Take The Stand is set to make a quick reappearance in Saturday’s Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Trainer Peter Bowen had indicated that the nine-year-old would not run again this season after unseating Leighton Aspell at the Chair in the Grand National.

However, he has had a change of heart and Take The Stand is now set to shoulder top weight of 11st 12lb in the four-mile-one-furlong race.

Take The Stand played a significant role at Aintree as he ran across the front of Becher’s second time round and carried out the leader, Clan Royal.

The Welsh handler has taken out Ballycassidy, with that horse likely to head for the Betfred Gold Cup later this month, but he still also has Swansea Bay in the race.

Take The Stand is left with top weight after Howard Johnson took out last year’s winner Grey Abbey.

Grand National second Royal Auclair has not been confirmed by Paul Nicholls, which leaves the Sue Smith-trained Chives next in the list.