'I'll be doing all I can' - Elliott eyeing another Irish National with big team

Gordon Elliott is planning on going gung-ho in his attempt to win a second BoyleSports Irish Grand National and said he would ride Death Duty in the €500,000 Easter Monday marathon if given the choice.

General Principle's dramatic victory in 2018 remains Elliott's sole success in the race, but he is currently responsible for a staggering 24 of the 93 entries for this year's running worth €270,000 to the winner.

Speaking from his Cullentra House stables at a press morning on Tuesday, Elliott singled out Death Duty as the captain of his team, but also gave positive mentions of Floueur and Fakir D'Alene.

Elliott said: "If Death Duty got in there off a nice low weight, he could be very dangerous. He came out of the Ultima at Cheltenham very well. Jack [Kennedy] just said he just lacked a gear coming down the hill, but he came home strongly. He's after putting a few good runs together now and I'd like his chances.

Death Duty: Gordon Elliott's main fancy for FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We'll run five or six in it. Floueur can be a bit novicey, but he ticks a lot of the boxes that I'm looking for in an Irish National horse. He won his beginners' chase at Fairyhouse and he likes the place so he would definitely go there with a chance.

"Fakir D'Alene ran very well in the Kim Muir and he's another to put into the mix. I often find that horses who run well in the Kim Muir can come back and run very well at Fairyhouse.

"Run Wild Fred will either go here or to Aintree, no decision has been made yet. Mount Ida and Escaria Ten go to Aintree, so does Farclas. Hardline could go to Fairyhouse. We haven't made a decision on Samcro and Coko Beach yet and there are a few others who could come into the reckoning as well.

"We've won it once before and it would be great to win it again. It's our local track here and I'll be doing all I can."

Before then, the Grand National meeting at Aintree is fast approaching and Elliott is assembling a strong squad to head to Liverpool which includes Champion Hurdle third Zanahiyr, who is set to step up in trip for the Aintree Hurdle.

Elliott said: "I'll have five or six for the Grand National, Conflated for the Bowl, Pied Piper for the Juvenile Hurdle, Mighty Stowaway for the Hunters' Chase and Zanahiyr for the Aintree Hurdle.

"I think the Aintree Hurdle is absolutely made for Zanahiyr. You're obviously a bit nervous with the race being so close to Cheltenham and he's had a few hard races this season, but he seems to have come out of the Champion Hurdle very well. He ran a cracker at Cheltenham and I'd say that was a career best from him. I think the Stayers' Hurdle will suit him next season."

Irish Grand National racecard and betting

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