Backstage connections want dry week Connections of Backstage would love to see drying ground at Aintree this week. The John Smith's Grand National generally throws up a fairytale winner, and the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old would fit into that category. Formerly owned by a syndicate of stable lads at Elliott's County Meath base, Middleham Park Racing recently bought a half-share. The latter's Tim Palin is full of hope for a big run, particularly if the sun shines. He explained: "We have booked Davy Condon to ride, and we are pleased to get him. "He wants good or good to soft ground so we are hoping for a drying week, although we would run if it was soft. "But if it was heavy, we would give it a miss and have a look at the bet365 Gold Cup. He can't jump out of that heavy ground. "Gordon wasn't worried that his last race was so close to the National, he says the race has put him spot-on and he is very pleased with him. "We had a look at what might be running in the National with the idea of buying into one, and when we saw the horse was owned by the stable lads we thought we could get some agreement so they could keep half."
