LEADING Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell feels she has three live chances as she aims to fulfil a lifelong ambition by training the winner of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr today.

The Andrew Parker-trained Merigo became the first Scottish-trained winner of the race since Cockle Strand in 1982 when striking gold in the Ayr marathon in 2010 and he went on to regain his crown two years later.

Now Kinross-based Russell wants to add her name to the list.

"Whenever I've been asked which race I would like to win the most, the answer has always been the Scottish Grand National," said Russell.

"It would mean a lot to us and it's great to be going there with three good chances."

The talented trio is headed by Green Flag, who has enjoyed a tremendous novice campaign over fences.

As well as registering three victories, the seven-year-old has filled the runner-up spot in the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton and was last seen finishing fourth behind subsequent Aintree winner Holywell in a Cheltenham Festival handicap chase.

Russell said: "Green Flag ran a fantastic race at Cheltenham. We were delighted with him and his form is rock solid.

"There is a bit of a question mark about the four miles, so as far as he's concerned hopefully they don't get too much rain as he would have a better chance of getting the trip on good ground than he would on soft."

Russell also saddles smart stayer Lie Forrit, who makes his first start over fences this season following two victories over hurdles.

The team is completed by Nuts N Bolts, who might be an outsider with bookmakers, but his trainer believes he has solid claims.

"I've been delighted with the way Lie Forrit has been running over hurdles and he is on a decent weight over fences compared to his hurdles mark," said Russell.

"I'm pretty sure he'll stay the four miles and he should have every chance as well. I'd be very confident Nuts N Bolts will get the trip and any amount of rain wouldn't bother him.

"His jumping is consistent, he was never going to have many runs this year and this has been his main aim for the season.

"The reason he's probably the outsider of the three is because he hasn't got much recent form, but hopefully he'll run well."

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson bids for his first Scottish Grand National victory and fires two bullets in Hadrian's Approach and Roberto Goldback.

He said: "Both horses are in good form and I think this sort of race should suit them.

"They are both in the handicap for starters, which is a bonus, as plenty of them aren't. Good ground is pretty essential to Roberto Goldback and it's also a big plus for Hadrian's Approach."