Elsworth Delighted By Comm News

Jockey Dominic Elsworth could barely conceal his delight on hearing the news Ross Comm had sneaked into the John Smith's Grand National.

Elsworth and his retained trainer Sue Smith faced an anxious wait to see if the 10-year-old would be promoted from the reserves' list into the line-up for the four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

But Ollie Magern's defection to the Betfair Bowl and Ground Ball's participation in the Red Rum Handicap, rather than the National, means Smith's charge will take his chance off just 10st 5lb in the great race.

'That's great news and I'm obviously delighted with that,' said Elsworth, who has ridden in the National for the last three years and was unseated at the ninth fence aboard Native Emperor in 2005.

'We haven't got a lot of weight and after schooling him this morning, things are coming together nicely.

'Sue is really happy with him, he's in grand order and you would have thought we'd have to have a chance now.'

Ross Comm was last seen winning a competitive Bangor handicap by 12 lengths from Noisetine.

The talented chaser has won five other races for Smith over fences and has been the subject of a steady stream of market support since last week.

The gelding is now as short as 18-1 with Paddy Power to win the Grand National for the Bingley handler.

'It's all systems go for Aintree,' added Elsworth.

? PA Sport