RACING:THE FALLOUT from Aintree last weekend may still be reverberating through racing but Gordon Elliott has another National in his sights this Saturday when Chicago Grey is set to line up for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Chicago Grey, winner of the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham a month ago, could be the first Irish-based winner of Scotland’s most prestigious National Hunt prize and has been installed a 5 to1 favourite by some bookmakers to secure a big-race double.
“Ayr is the plan and ground shouldn’t be a problem as he has won on every sort of going,” Elliott said yesterday.
“He has been tipping away since Cheltenham and seems to be very well. If he’s available, Paul Carberry will ride. If he’s not, Jason Maguire will.”
Maguire was on board Ballabriggs for that horse’s National success over the big fences at Aintree three days ago.
Forty seven entries were left in the Scottish National at yesterday’s forfeit stage including other Irish hopes in Charlie Swan’s Long Strand and Carsonstown Boy from Colin McBratney’s yard.
Neptune Collonges’ presence at the top of the weights (11st 9lb) sees Chicago Grey currently on a mark of 10st 6lb.
The grey secured a memorable victory at Cheltenham when Derek O’Connor guided him to victory in the marathon amateur prize.
He was also Elliott’s first success at the famous festival although Carlito Brigante later won the Coral Cup on the same day.
The Co Meath-based trainer gave Backstage a clean bill of health after his Aintree exertions at the weekend and the horse could be part of a strong Elliott team for the Ladbrokes Irish National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. “Backstage might go there, Beautiful Sound could go and Tharawaat might go. We could have three or four runners in the race. But we’ll see closer to the time,” he said.
