Gordon Elliott's 10 year old will bid to become the first Irish
trained winner of the race since it was moved to Ayr from Bogside
in 1966. Tim Vaughan's Beshabar, second to Chicago Grey is also
entered in the £180,000 race.
The Sir Alex Ferguson owned What A Friend is another entry
although Paul Nicholls is likely to aim his Cheltenham Gold Cup
fourth at the John Smith's Grand National a week earlier. Other
Nicholls entries are Neptune Collonges, Niche Market and The
Minack.
Midlands Grand National winner Minella Four Star from the David
Pipe yard, Ferdy Murphy pair Poker de Sivola and Gallant Nuit are
also entered as is last year's winner Merigo from Andrew Parker's
stable and the 2008 victor Iris de Balme now with Joanna Davis.
Entries were also lodged yesterday for the Isle Of Skye Blended
Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle and include last year's winner
Overturn from the Donald McCain yard, Colin Tizzard's Cue Card, Get
Me Out Of Here from the Jonjo O'Neill stable and the Alan King
trained pair Mille Chief and Salden Licht.