Top-weight Stormyfairweather headed 17 withdrawals revealed today for the Ladbroke Casinos Scottish Grand National a fortnight on Saturday.
He had been announced an unlikely runner at Ayr by Nicky Henderson after a sharp rise in the handicap following his win in the Cathcart Chase at Cheltenham and reportedly goes instead for the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown.
Others taken out at Tuesday's forfeit stage for the £70,000 Scottish National included Ever Blessed and The Grey Monk.
The handicap is now headed by Martell Grand National hope The Last Fling on 11st 12lb - 3lb clear of Aintree top-weight Young Kenny, who won last year.
A record total of 81 horse stand their ground for the 33-furlong Ayr contest.
