Mercer booked for Philson ride

Keith Mercer will ride Philson Run in the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National Handicap at Ayr this afternoon.

Mercer comes in for the mount after Graham Lee, who won the totesport Eider Chase on the 10-year-old, was struck down by a bug which has also affected his wife and child.

“Keith knows the track well and I think it is a good booking,” said trainer Nick Williams.

“It’s obviously a shame about Graham but this is a good short-term solution.”

Mercer was set to ride Cheltenham Festival winner Hot Weld in the Scottish National but the Ferdy Murphy-trained seven-year-old was withdrawn yesterday.

“This is a nice surprise because I wasn’t set to be riding at Ayr today because Supreme Builder has also been taken out of the bumper,” he said.

“He (Philson Run) has won a couple of big races and looks to have a good chance.

“I haven’t sat on him yet but I know a bit about him and I’m looking forward to it.”