Gunther set for Scottish National

Philip Hobbs is eyeing the Stg£100,000 Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National for his Racing Post Chase winner Gunther McBride on Saturday week.

The Minehead trainer is hoping that Gunther McBride can go one better in Scotland`s most valuable jump race following What`s Up Boys, who was runner-up to Bindaree in the Martell Grand National last Saturday.

After his easy win at Kempton in February, Gunther McBride finished sixth to Frenchman`s Creek in the William Hill National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in his only race since.

'Gunther McBride is a likely runner at this stage,' said Hobbs. 'He seems in good form since Cheltenham. We think that the flat track at Ayr may suit him better and Richard Johnson seems to think he`ll get the trip - so I hope he`s right.'

Johnson partnered Gunther McBride to victory at Kempton and is likely to keep the ride.

'Richard may ride him again, unless he prefers one of our other two, because we will probably also run Enrique and Atavistic,' said Hobbs.

He is not overly concerned with the ground conditions for the seven-year-old Glacial Storm gelding, who has won on ground ranging from heavy to good.

'I don`t think the ground will make any difference to him although he may not run if the ground came up too firm. As long as it is not too firm, I would imagine he`d run,' he added.

Paris Pike, a first fence faller at Aintree, will attempt to become the first dual winner of the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National since Androma (1984 & 1985).

The Ferdy Murphy-trained challenger won the race two years ago and J P McNamara will take over from Richard Guest.

Ayr specialist Grey Abbey is also on target for the race.

The eight-year-old, who has won six times at Ayr, will be one of the leading fancies, while Martin Pipe`s Cyfor Malta is also set for the contest.