Delta Work will aim to pull off an ambitious Cheltenham-Aintree double after Gordon Elliott singled him out as the pick of his Grand National hopefuls for Saturday.
Elliott is set to field seven of the 40 runners in the Aintree showpiece as he seeks a fourth success in the race, two of those with Tiger Roll, who was denied victory by Delta Work in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham.
Elliott pleased with National build-up
After slogging to victory in the heavy conditions at Cheltenham, Delta Work is priced at 8/1 to follow up in the Grand National, with Elliott happy with the turnaround between the two meetings.
"Delta Work is the pick of ours," Elliott said on Friday. "The way he took to cross-country fences at Cheltenham was brilliant. We brought him to the beach the other day and he was loving life, so he comes here fresh and well."
A five-time Grade 1 winner, Delta Work claimed victory in the 2020 Irish Gold Cup but delivered three below-par efforts at the start of this season.
The switch to cross-country fences appeared to rejuvenate the nine-year-old, who, under Jack Kennedy, gamely held on for victory from dual National winner Tiger Roll at Cheltenham.
Kennedy on board again
Kennedy will retain the ride for Aintree, while Tiger Roll's jockey, Davy Russell, will partner stablemate Run Wild Fred, who finished behind Stattler in the National Hunt Chase.
Both run under the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, who enjoyed those memorable National successes with Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019 and also in 2016 with Rule The World.
Gigginstown field five for Saturday's renewal, with Coko Beach, Death Duty and Samcro completing the line-up, while Elliott will also field Bobbyjo Chase runner-up Escaria Ten and Mount Ida.
