Walsh just misses 'slam'

Joes Edge battled back to nail Cornish Rebel right on the line in a rousing finish to the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.

The short-head victory gave Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy handsome compensation for Granit D'Estruval's last-fence fall when bang in contention for the marathon contest 12 months ago.

But it also meant that Cornish Rebel's jockey, Ruby Walsh, failed by a whisker to make racing history by becoming the first rider to complete the National "grand slam" in a season. He had already won the Irish and Welsh versions as well as the English Grand National at Aintree on Hedgehunter only last Saturday week.

Keith Mercer (23), enjoying his biggest win by far, produced Joes Edge (20 to 1) with a well-timed run to edge out Walsh on Cornish Rebel (9 to 2) after an epic battle to land the £70,000 first prize.

When asked if he was disappointed at missing out on the "grand slam", Walsh said: "I very likely won't get the chance again and obviously it is disappointing.

"I maybe should have delayed my challenge until a bit later."