Gordon Elliott fires a massive 19 runners at Grand National as he chases record-equalling fourth winner

GORDON ELLIOTT is firing a massive 19 runners at the Grand National in the hope of landing a record-equalling fourth winner.

The Irish trainer won the race in 2007 with Silver Birch.

Tiger Roll won it back-to-back in 2018 and 2019 before Covid forced the cancellation of the 2020 race.

Elliott says joining Ginger McCain, Fred Rimell and 19th century trainer George Dockery with a fourth win would be a 'dream come true'.

His best chance could come in the shape of Conflated, who has been lumped with top weight 11-12.

Elliott said: "It would be nice to win the race for a fourth time and hopefully we will have a good team on our side so we will give it a good go.

"It would be unbelievable if we could win it for a record equalling fourth time and really would be a dream come true.

"Conflated has won two Grade One chases at Leopardstown including last year’s Irish Gold Cup and we knew he would be close to top weight or have top weight.

"He will go to Cheltenham first for the Gold Cup and we will see from there whether he will be one for the Grand National this season or next season.

"He would be a very classy horse to have in the race. I could see him being a horse for the National but it might be a year too early to run him in the race.

Another of Elliott’s intended runners with a date at Cheltenham between now and Aintree is Galvin.

He is just a pound lighter than his stablemate on 11-11.

Elliott said: "He started off the season very well winning a Grade Three at Punchestown but his form has just tapered off a bit.

"He has just had a little procedure done on his back and he is back working well.

"The plan is to run him in the Cross Country race at Cheltenham then onto the National.

"We sort of thought last season that he could be one for the National as we thought he was probably just lacking a gear for races like the Gold Cup and those sort of Grade One races.

"He seems in good form and we are looking forward to running him in the National. I think he will be fine over the fences."

Punters beware though, as Elliott said six of his horses likely won't run.

He added: "I can’t see Defi Bleu, Gevrey, Milan Native, Punitive, Fakiera or Mortal getting into the race."

Gordon Elliott's 19 Grand National entries

Conflated

Galvin

Fury Road

Delta Work

Coko Beach

Penilfulloflead

Escaria Ten

Farclas

Ash Tree Meadow

Battleoverdoyen

Death Duty

Dunboyne

Frontal Assault

Defi Bleu

Gevrey

Milan Native

Punitive

Fakiera

Mortal

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