Backstage looks a class act for Elliott in Grand National

National treasure: Backstage showed a liking for the Aintree fences last year

13 April 2012

Racehorse trainers tend to be creatures of habit. It probably explains why the brilliant young Irish handler Gordon Elliott has fine-tuned Backstage's John Smith's Grand National campaign with two bloodless victories in the comparatively uncompetitive world of point-to-point racing.

It was strategy that worked for Elliott when Silver Birch gave him a stunning triumph in the world's greatest steeplechase in 2007.

At the time Elliott had only a handful of horses in his care and had not even managed a winner in his own country.

How times have changed. Today Elliott, 33, controls one of the biggest teams of horses in Ireland as he heads inexorably for the top.

They include Backstage, who was running a big race in last year's National until he was taken out by a loose horse at the 20th fence. "He was going well and we were happy at the time," said Elliott. "But there was still a long way to go. This year's National has been the plan ever since and I think it helps that, just like Silver Birch, he has had previous experience over the fences."

The similarities run deeper since Backstage lives in the box once occupied by Silver Birch. For followers of mainstream jumping, the gelding's preparation has been low key - taking in just the two winning runs in point-to-points at Kirkistown and The Pigeons.

Elliott said: "It made complete sense to boost his confidence this way rather than ask him to slog round carrying lumps of weight in bottomless ground in handicaps.

"I'm glad the waiting is nearly over and we couldn't be happier with the horse. We also have the right man on board in Paul Carberry, who won the National on Bobbyjo in 1999."

Irish challengers have enjoyed a wonderful run in the National during the past 12 years with six wins.

This time they field a dozen contenders, including Oscar Time, who is ridden by the talented amateur Sam Waley-Cohen. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three weeks ago on Nicky Henderson's Long Run.

It would be misleading to imagine that Waley-Cohen is a throwback to the type of amateurs, mostly in the armed services, who used to populate the weighing room when National Hunt racing was less professional. Yes, he remains unpaid for his endeavours on the racecourse and runs his own business but he works on his fitness each day in the gym and boxing ring with a zeal that is exhausting to watch.

And no one was questioning his skill as he brought Long Run with a beautifully-timed run to see off the old champions Denman and Kauto Star.
He also boasts an outstanding record of three victories from 10 starts over the National fences. Waley-Cohen, who is bidding to become the first amateur to win the National since Marcus Armytage triumphed on Mr Frisk in 1990, is optimistic about his chance of achieving the feat after riding Oscar Time in his last three starts in Ireland.

He said: "He has all the attributes for the National. He's very genuine and loves his racing."

Punters looking to back each way in the race tomorrow should concentrate on betting with the firms who offer odds about horses finishing in the first five. With 40 runners setting out, it is an important concession.

The National has thrown up some magical stories down the years. Success for Ballabriggs and his trainer Donald McCain would deliver another dramatic chapter in the long-running family saga famously begun when his father, Ginger, sent out Red Rum to claim the first of his three wins back in 1973.

Tomorrow, however, should be Backstage and Elliott's day to shine.

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Backstage looks a class act for Elliott in Grand National

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