Len Lungo has today warned that Birkdale, as short as 10-1 with the Tote for Saturday's Ladbroke Casinos Scottish Grand National, may not run in the Ayr contest.
Birkdale has won his last three chases, including two at the Scottish course, and is a confirmed mudlark.
His trainer said: "I spoke to a colleague up there last night and he told me he did not think I would run Birkdale on the ground as it is - he feels it is on the fast side of good.
"The horse is ready and we want to go. I believe they had some rain there last night but we need substantial rain between now and Saturday and I would not advise anyone to have any ante-post bets."
Robbie Supple will have the mount if Birkdale gets the go-ahead, and Lungo added: "If he has to miss Ayr I am not sure what we will do with him, but he will not run in the Irish National.
"He went last season for a race at Navan and he simply did not run great, whether it was the travelling or not I don't know. But he finished up quite ill before he came home so we won't be risking him travelling over there again."
Lungo reports that Celtic Giant, who came home last of the 17 finishers in the Martell Grand National on Saturday, is in good heart but he added: "He will not go for the Irish National either and in fact has been roughed off now ready for some spring grass."
Ground conditions for the Ladbrokes Casinos Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr on Saturday could be on the easy side of good.
Clerk of the course Richard Pridham this morning said: "The going is good at the moment after 3mm of rain overnight.
"The forecast is for showery stuff coming in over the next few days but nothing persistent so I would expect the ground to be either good or on the easy side of good by Saturday."
Pridham is pleased with the quality of the 39 entries still left in the £70,000 contest after the five-day stage.
He said: "It looks a good race with Marlborough - I think he's a class act, Paris Pike and of course last year's winner (Young Kenny) possible runners."
