WITHOUT a shadow of a doubt, Gordon Elliott is one of the best trainers in the horse racing industry. He and Willie Mullins are the two top trainers in Ireland and both yards will expect to compete for major honours at the 2018 Grand National meeting at Aintree. We’ve got to get the Cheltenham Festival out of the way first but Elliott could be heading to Merseyside after another successful trip to Prestbury Park.

Getting through Cheltenham unscathed is the primary objective – a few of Elliott’s leading fancies for the National are due to run at the Festival. CAUSE OF CAUSES, second to One For Arthur in the 2017 race, is one of those; the most versatile horse in training is looking for his fourth Festival victory. Meanwhile, TIGER ROLL will also run in the Cross Country Chase and he could be one of the dark horses for National victory.

Elliott believes that 2016 Lexus Chase winner OUTLANDER, one of many horses owned by Gigginstown House Stud, will almost certainly miss the race in favour of the Punchestown Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Elliott confirmed that the well-fancied NOBLE ENDEAVOUR has been ruled out after suffering a minor injury in training. Despite those setbacks, Elliott is blessed with a strong group of options ahead of Aintree.

Barring any further issues, Elliott will almost certainly have three entries in this year’s race: Causes of Causes, Tiger Roll and UCELLO CONTI. The latter finished sixth back in 2016 and was travelling strongly before unseating his rider last year. Could it be third time lucky for Ucello Conti? It would be foolish to write him off just yet. He has been treated favourably in the weights and could feature prominently.

As of February 28th, Cause of Causes is Elliott’s top contender. Priced at 16/1 with the bookmakers, punters will be keen to back last year’s runner-up. That price will shorten on National day as the once-a-year bettors rush to place a wager on Cause of Causes going one better this time around. At 40/1, Tiger Roll carries more appeal for each-way bettors – his Festival win last year is solid enough form. Punters will be keeping a close eye on how he fares at Cheltenham in March.

That victory came over three miles, seven furlongs and regular punters will know that winning a long-distance event is vital; stamina is key to National glory. He is by no means a favourite and that may sway punters into looking at the latest promotions ahead of the race. Most bookmakers are already offering specific Grand National free bets offers and those backing an outsider may want to check these out before placing actual funds.

Ucello Conti will need everything to fall his way in order to win the National but that is what makes this race so appealing to the masses. Anything can, and so often does, happen. 100/1 shot Mon Mome won in 2009 and that kind of win only adds to the excitement surrounding the race. The Grand National is the highlight of the National Hunt season and the 2018 renewal could be successful for the Gordon Elliott team.