Gordon Elliott: My three Grand National Entries

Grand National / Gordon Elliott / 14 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Gordon is delighted with Chicago Grey's allocation of just 10-13

"I said if Chicago Grey got anything under 11 stone I’d be delighted, so I’m certainly not complaining."

The weights for the 2012 John Smith's Aintree Grand National were announced this morning and Gordon Elliott, who won the race with Silver Birch in 2007, has three entries. Gordon seems pleased with the weight allotted to primary hope Chicago Grey. Get his exclusive thoughts on all three entries.

Chicago Grey - [25.0] in Antepost Grand National market

He got 10-13, which looks a great weight. I said if he got anything under 11 stone I'd be delighted, so I'm certainly not complaining. It's been the plan for him for a long time and his prep is coming along well. He won the four mile chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival so just an extra half mile shouldn't be a problem for him.

He'll either go in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday or the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday, and that will be his last run before the National.

Tharawaat - [320.0]

He got 10-4, which is a weight he could get in off, but I wouldn't want to run him on fast ground. He's been a great servant to us and to his owners, GIgginstown House, but he's still only seven and all his wins have come on testing ground so I'd certainly want to see rain before I'd commit him to the race.

Backstage - [55.0]

He's been given 10-1 and he'll probably struggle to get into the race off that weight. He's been in superb form in point to points this season (unbeaten in six outings) and will head to the Foxhunters' Chase at Cheltenham first. This would be his third Grand National, were he to get in, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens between now and then.