Alan King is hoping that Ayr avoids the current wet spell as he prepares Spendid for a possible crack at the Ladbroke Casinos Scottish Grand National on Saturday.
The trainer wants good ground for the gelding, who won the Jim Ford Challenge Cup at Wincanton prior to finishing fifth behind Marlborough in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last time.
King said today: "We're certainly seriously considering the weekend but we've got to see what the weather does up there - I can't be any more definite than that at the moment.
"He wouldn't mind good, quick ground - which I believe it is at the moment.
"I would think if he didn't run on Saturday he would go for the Whitbread."
However Trouble Ahead, winner of his last two starts including the Agfa Diamond Chase in February, will only take part in the Scottish National if the ground eases.
A spokeswoman for trainer Kim Bailey said: "Trouble Ahead will only run at Ayr if the ground is on the soft side of good.
"He's still in the Irish National and the Whitbread and they will be considered."
Both horses are quoted at 16-1 for the race by Ladbrokes.
