Elliott unveils his Grand plan for Backstage

Gordon Elliott says Grand National hope Backstage will need the run when he makes his reappearance over hurdles at Musselburgh on Sunday but believes he has a "great chance" of winning at Aintree.

With connections keen to protect his handicap mark over fences, Backstage, a 25-1 shot with Paddy Power for the April 10 showpiece, has not run since winning a valuable handicap chase at Ffos Las in August.

Elliott trained Silver Birch to win the Aintree staying marathon in 2007 and is confident that Backstage, who was among the 111 entries announced today for the National, can tread the same path.

He said: "He will run in a novices' hurdle on Sunday but will come on a good bit for it. We were held up by the weather but he's good order.

"He's being trained for the National and the way he won at Ffos Las, he'd have a great chance at Aintree."

Bob Buckler could give Irish Grand National
winner Niche Market two more runs before attempting to win the English equivalent.