Elliott runs eight in Irish Grand National Gordon Elliott has assembled a formidable eight-strong team in a bid to win the BoyleSports Irish Grand National for the first time at Fairyhouse on Monday. Less than a fortnight after being reduced to tears after claiming Cheltenham Gold Cup glory with Don Cossack, Elliott aims to secure another major prize. Heading the squad is Mala Beach, who looked the likely winner of last month's Bobbyjo Chase before coming to grief two fences from the finish. Elliott said: "It would be unbelievable to win an Irish National. We're firing as many darts at it as we can. "Mala Beach is in great form, I couldn't be happier with him and the more rain that comes the better. If the rain comes, he's got a very good chance." The eight-year-old carries the colours of owner Chris Jones, who said: "He certainly deserves his chance. He was very unfortunate the last day - I think he was going to be bang there. "He rarely runs a bad race. If you look back through his form for us, he's never really been out of the shake-up. "He is ground-dependent and I suppose that is the only concern when you're waiting for an Irish National, but we feel the trip will suit him and, barring the last day, he usually likes that track. "Fairyhouse is local to us, so it's great to have one there with a chance. We live five miles down the road and I remember we always went there with picnics. It's a special day." Elliott's squad also includes Cause Of Causes, who claimed his second Cheltenham Festival prize in the Kim Muir. "He's in great form and was very good in Cheltenham," Elliott said. "It's obviously a bit of a worry coming so quick, but it doesn't look like we'll get in the English National, so we have to take our chance. He has top weight, but if the ground doesn't get too soft, he wouldn't be there without a squeak. He's a little star. "Bless The Wings is in great form and he's been a star. He's placed everywhere he goes. He's fit and he's well, Ruby Walsh rides him and he'll be dropped in and will hunt away to be placed, so we'll see what happens. "Killer Crow is in very good form. The one worry would be whether he'll stay the trip, but Jack Kennedy rides him and claims 3lb off him. He'll drop him in and hunt away. If he stays the trip he's got a massive chance." Riverside City, Definite Ruby, Unic De Bersy and Captain Von Trappe also go to post for Elliott.
