Delta and Galvin back for more at Aintree

Delta Work and Galvin, second and fourth in last season’s Randox Grand National, will spearhead Gordon Elliott’s team for this year’s renewal at Aintree.

The Cullentra handler has a great record in the National having struck with dual winner Tiger Roll and Silver Birch.

He expects to field “five or six” in this year’s race on April 5, with potentially unexposed horses like Fil Dor and Three Card Brag lower down the weights.

The joint-highest rated of all his entries is still Conflated, though, who must bounce back to form after failing to figure in any of his five outings so far this term.

“Conflated (11st 2lb) has been a classy horse and he’s tumbling down the weights but his form hasn’t been too bad,” said Elliott.

“I suppose the big question mark is stamina and whether he’ll stay the trip or not. I suppose with any of those horses which haven’t been over four miles before, it’s always a question mark.”

Delta Work was beaten seven and a half lengths by I Am Maximus last year, with Galvin – who ran in last week’s stable staff race at Punchestown – a further length back in fourth.

Elliott added: “Delta Work (11st 2lb) has had a good preparation, he runs off the same mark as last year, I thought he’d maybe be a little bit lower.

“He showed a fair bit of zest the last day at Cheltenham (when fourth in the Cotswold Chase), so I’m really looking forward to it.

“Galvin (10st 13lb) had a spin the other day and I’m really happy with him. He ran a great race in it last year and came home very strong. If it’s drier ground, he’d have a good chance.

“Looking at it, we’d probably have five or six in it. You’d have to say Delta and Galvin would be the two main ones but among the unexposed horses, I’d say Fil Dor (10st 9lb). I think he’s really coming back to himself, he’s run really well in his last couple of races.

“If Three Card Brag (10st 5lb) sneaks in down at the bottom I think he could be dangerous. We’ve also got Zanahiyr (10st 9lb) in, he’s hot and cold but he’s been the horse of a lifetime, so we’ll see what happens.”