Gordon Elliott's Grand National contenders Gordon Elliott will once more have history on his mind at Aintree as the Irishman bids for a record-equalling fourth Grand National success. Elliott triumphed with Silver Birch in 2007, his first runner in the great race, and carved his name into the fabric of the Aintree spectacular when Tiger Roll won in 2018 and 2019, becoming the first horse since the iconic Red Rum to win successive Grand Nationals. The Cullentra House handler is one of Ireland's top trainers and could have a quartet of runners in the mix on Saturday April 5th. Get €20 in FREE bets with Midnite Can Elliott join the likes of George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain on four wins in the world's most recognisable jumps race? Here's a look at his potential contenders in 2025. Conflated The first of his contenders is Gigginstown inmate Conflated, an Irish Gold Cup hero in his pomp but without a win since the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December 2022. He has largely struggled this season, albeit in highly competitive company, but he did shape better in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham last time, beaten 15-lengths into eighth behind Jagwar over 2m4½f. He's rated 157 and set to carry 11st 2lb in the National. He's 11 years old but Neptune Collonges, Auroras Encore and Pineau De Re all scored at that age between 2012 and 2014. Coko Beach The second Gigginstown runner is Coko Beach, off a mark of 150 and with 10st 9lb to carry. He is a year younger than Conflated and his most recent win was in a Cross Country race at Punchestown last spring. He hasn't sparkled in his six starts this season, his best effort an 18-length second behind Vanillier in the same contest at the Kildare venue, before finishing ninth in the Cross Country at Cheltenham as Stumptown won. He was 11th in the National last year, 33 lengths behind I Am Maximus, and his trainer admits the trip remains a worry. Fil Dor Also off a mark of 150 will be Fil Dor for owners Robcour. He's just seven years old, the same age Noble Yeats was when scoring in 2022, and was a Listed winner over 2m6½f at Thurles in November. He's continued in decent form since, but will be taking a step into the unknown in terms of this new distance. Elliott recently told the Racing Post that Fil Dor 'could run very well' in the Aintree contest. Minella Crooner Minella Crooner was a shock winner at the Punchestown Festival last season, landing the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase over 3m½f on soft ground off a mark of 142, but things have not gone to plan this season. His latest outing saw him pulled up in the Cross Country at Cheltenham and he looks up against it on form. He's currently number 39 on the Aintree list, meaning he needs at least four to come out above him. Three Card Brag Number 41 on the list is another Elliott inmate, Three Card Brag. He's eight years old and stamina has always been a forte in his career to date. He won a 3m beginners' chase contest at Navan in January and has since been beaten five-lengths third behind stablemates Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story in a Grade 2 novice at the Co Meath venue. That duo filled the places behind Lecky Watson in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on their next starts. Three Card Brag needs six to come out above him, including stablemate Minella Crooner, and Elliott appears keen on his hopes. "Three Card Brag is probably the one unexposed one we have going over. He needs a few to come out but, if they do, I think he'll run very well," he told the Racing Post. Get €20 in FREE bets with Midnite - 4x €5 Horse Racing Free Bets plus 50 FREE Spins:
