Staffordshire Knot one for Aintree

Gordon Elliott's Staffordshire Knot is set to bypass Cheltenham for Aintree.

The six-year-old Shantou gelding was in the headlines as part of the Caldwell Construction dispersal sale at Tattersalls Ireland where he realised €510,000.

Racing for his new owner, Gigginstown House Stud, he took the runner-up berth behind Largy Hill in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Thurles a week ago.

He holds an entry in the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but Elliott is eyeing Liverpool.

He said: "He'll go to Aintree. He's a galloper, so two and a-half miles or three miles."

Staffordshire Knot won a bumper in Fairyhouse for Elliott and landed a maiden hurdle at Down Royal in January by 21 lengths.