Halcon tops national contenders

The presence of top weight Halcon Genelardais in Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National appears to have frightened off a good proportion of the opposition as 51 horses were removed at the five-day stage.

The soft-ground lover appears set to get his favoured conditions at Ayr and if he takes part, all bar five of his rivals will be running from out of the handicap.

His Welsh National conqueror Miko De Beauchene will be receiving 16lb with the former high-class chaser Celestial Gold, Opera Mundi, Vodka Bleu and Butler’s Cabin the only others in the handicap proper.

Even Cheltenham Festival winner Old Benny, the top-weight’s stablemate, resides on 9st 12lb.

Most of the notable withdrawals took part at Aintree, however, with fancied runners such as Himalayan Trail, King Harald and the well-backed Lothian Falcon also removed.

A total of 40 have been left in with Tony Martin’s Patsy Hall and Newbay Prop and Roy Wilson’s In The Loop the only Irish representatives.

Ferdy Murphy, who has a fantastic record in the race, has Leading Man and Noir Et Vert still engaged. Nick Williams’ Philson Run, Brendan Duke’s Openide and Tom George’s Kilbeggan Blade are also in the mix.