Grand National: Another Rum is only 50-50 to go for the Grand National as connections look at the Scottish equivalent as an alternative. The hope of faster ground and finer weather for the Scottish Grand National on April 22nd, two weeks after Aintree, may see the eight-year-old switch to Ayr.
Another Rum, trained in Northern Ireland by Ian Duncan, has finished in the first four in all his four starts over fences at Ayr and has won twice there in two attempts over hurdles.
"There's still a chance he'll go to Aintree but it's no more than 50-50 at the moment. The horse is fine and in good shape but he might go for the Scottish National instead," said Duncan.
"We'll decide at the weekend. The owner is quite keen on going for the Scottish National so we might decide on that.
"He always runs well there - he must like the Scottish air. He's won or been placed every time he's run there and the four miles suits him extremely well.
"We don't want soft ground and that is one factor. The horse is in good form and looking well, but the weather here is cold, miserable and wet. He's a spring horse and wants some sun on his back. It's an entirely different spring to what we had last year.
"I think the horse will be better later on and the Scottish National is two weeks after Aintree."
Another Rum showed himself to be a useful stayer when winning the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last March and finishing third in the Scottish National, but he was pulled up in the Kim Muir Chase at this month's Festival on his latest start.
"I think the pace of the race was a bit too sharp for him. He seemed to struggle from an early stage. I couldn't find another explanation for it," added the County Antrim trainer.
Another Rum is guaranteed a place at Aintree, having been given 10st 7lb. He is currently a best-priced 40 to 1.
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