SCOTTISH NATIONAL TO GO AHEAD Ayr`s Scottish Grand National meeting on April 20th and 21st is set to go ahead as planned, it was announced today. See More Business heads the 94 entries revealed for the feature race of the meeting, sponsored by Gala Group. The racecourse has confirmed that the fixture got the go ahead despite Ayr having lost three days` racing (March 9th, 10th and 19th) to the foot-and-mouth epidemic. A statement from the track said: 'Ayr racecourse announces that the Scottish Grand National meeting...goes ahead following the news that a suspected case of foot and mouth nearby has turned out to be negative. 'The strict guidelines introduced for racecourses by the British Horseracing Board for the foot and mouth outbreak, involving disinfectant processes and other safety measures, will be in place.' The position of See More Business at the head of the weights on 12st means that only five horses are currently in the handicap proper. The Nicky Henderson-trained duo Marlborough and Bacchanal have been allotted 11st and 10st 13lb respectively. Richard Phillips` Go Ballistic is on 10st 3lb while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Frantic Tan, winner of the De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock last time, gets in at the foot of the handicap on 10st. Martell Grand National favourite Mely Moss is on 9st 2lb while another leading Aintree fancy Earthmover is on 9st 13lb. Ferdy Murphy, who won last year`s renewal with Paris Pike, has three entries including Addington Boy (9st 3lb), Tote Northern National winner Narrow Water (9st 1lb) and Paddy`s Return (8st 6lb). There is only one Irish-trained entry, the Arthur Moore-trained Lyreen Wonder (9st 2lb).
