Gordon Elliott hoping for another fairytale story

Having tasted glory in the race for the first-time last year, Longwood trainer Gordon Elliott leads the way with 34 entries for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday 22nd April.

In all, there are 110 entries for the €500,000 extravaganza, an increase of 13 on 2018 and the highest rated is the Elliott-trained The Storyteller who has been allotted the top-weight of 11-10.
Last year’s hero General Principle has been allotted 10-08, with his stable companion and last year’s fourth, Folsom Blue being allotted 10-06. 
Delta Work, third in the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last Wednesday, is on 11-09 while Tiger Roll, successful in the 2018 Aintree Grand National and a four-time Cheltenham Festival hero also has 11-09. 
Winner of the BoyleSports National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown last month, Dounikos has 11-06.
Forever Gold was a close third in the 2018 renewal for Batterstown owner/trainer Edward Cawley and he is a little further down the handicap on 10-01. 
Noel Meade has entered six with his Troytown Handicap Chase and Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase winner Tout Est Permis leading the way on 11-07. 
On the same mark, Sub Lieutenant, a narrow runner-up in that Thurles Grade 2 is the highest-weighted of Henry De Bromhead’s entry of three.
Jessica Harrington, a winner with Our Duke in 2017, has made four entries, including her Dublin Racing Festival winner Whisperinthebreeze on 10-03. 
“Once again we are delighted with the strength and depth of entries for this year’s BoyleSports Irish Grand National,” said Fairyhouse Racecourse general manager Peter Roe.
“There are numerous Grade 1 winners, Cheltenham festival winners and plenty of exciting novices among the entries. We are particularly delighted with the strong overseas entry up from four last year to 19 this year. 
“I know the pleasure which Gordon Elliott felt when scoring his first win in the race last year was one he will always treasure, and he will once again field a strong team in a bid to retain the trophy,” concluded Roe.