Young Kenny - a best-priced 7 to 2 chance - will have to carry top-weight in Saturday's Stakis Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr after a mass of withdrawals yesterday.

No fewer than 57 horses were taken out of Scotland's richest jumps race at the five-day declaration stage, leaving just 18 in the line-up.

None of the 14 above Young Kenny in the handicap after the forfeit stage were declared, leaving the Midlands Grand National winner heading the remainder on 11st 10lb.

"He is a big horse and he will carry the weight," said trainer Peter Beaumont. "And something has to carry top-weight."

Brendan Powell, who has ridden Young Kenny to victory on his last two starts, will be in the plate again. A 25lb rise in the weights leaves nine acceptors in the handicap proper, including the Jim Old-trained Clever Remark who has landed all his three starts to date this season.

"He's on course for the race and Timmy Murphy will ride," Old said. "He won't mind the soft ground and I'm hoping he runs well."

Nigel Twiston-Davies has declared Camelot Knight, who was brought down at Becher's second time round at Aintree last Saturday.

Call It A Day's trainer David Nicholson, successful with Moorcroft Boy in 1996 and Baronet last year, has declared Forest Ivory.

Bob Buckler was far from surprised by the big rise in the weights, which leaves his dual Towcester winner Scotby just 1lb out of the handicap.

"We worked it out that Young Kenny was likely to be top-weight as most of the top weights weren't going to run," the trainer said. "The ground is going to be soft up at Ayr, which he needs."

Len Lungo is also considering running his prolific winner The Next Waltz.

"I don't think we can beat the likes of Young Kenny or Hollybank Buck if they hold their form and The Next Waltz might just be running for a place," he said