Backstage For Elliott

Gordon Elliott is planning a bumper 2012 and has more than one trick up his sleeve when it comes to entries for the 2012 Grand National, one of which is Backstage who has just won his third consecutive point-to-point in Ireland as he continues his build-up to both Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April.

Although the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding will be given an entry in the John Smith’s Grand National for the third year running, his main target will be the big hunter chase at the Cheltenham Festival. His previous attempts resulted in a fall in 2010 and 10th place in 2011 but another year older could stand him in great stead and with his recent form he is definitely one to wath in 2012.

According to Tim Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park Racing, “Gordon Elliott keeps saying he would do more at home than in the point-to-points, but I want us to be careful not to over-race him. He will have a Grand National entry, but the plan is the Foxhunters at Cheltenham.

“The National is four weeks after that and he should get a sensible weight for it this season – around 10st 6lb, 10st 8lb – compared to the last two years when he ran off 148. He’s been a little bit short off that mark.”