GORDON Elliott looks set to have at least eight runners in the Randox Grand National as he readies a strong team for Aintree on April 13th.

Chemical Energy, Coko Beach, Delta Work, Farouk D’alene, Fury Road, Galvin, Minella Crooner and The Goffer were all confirmed to be on target for the race by the trainer, while the top-weight Conflated is 50-50 to run in the National or Aintree Bowl, which could also be on the cards for Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe.

Elliott told The Irish Field: “We did a bit of work with a good few of them this week and we’re thinking about Aintree. We’ll know more in the next few days but we could have a nice team.

“Gerri Colombe could go to the Bowl. He obviously won well at the track last season so it would be great to go back there with him. He is definitely in the mix. Irish Point could go for the Aintree Hurdle. We were delighted with him in the Champion Hurdle and that race could suit him well.

“We’re going to enter Firefox and Brighterdaysahead in both the Grade 1 novice hurdles over the two miles and the two and a half miles. We could have a few more as well and we’ll probably know more after Fairyhouse.

“We should be well represented in the National and it’s great to be involved in the race again.”

Eight or nine runners in National would equate to Elliott’s second highest representation in the race - he declared a record 11 in 2019, Tiger Roll’s second win in the race. Should he win the contest for a fourth time, he will match the achievements of George Dockerary, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.

Bookmakers rate Galvin and Chemical Energy, both priced at 25/1 generally, as Elliott best chances.