Foxhunter favourite Backstage racking up the wins

Foxhunter Chase favourite Backstage remains firmly on course for next month’s Cheltenham Festival following his sixth victory in the point-to-point sphere this season at the weekend.

Gordon Elliott’s 10-year-old came home in 10th position when a leading fancy for last year’s Grand National and while a return to Aintree is on his agenda, his primary target is the Foxhunter Chase, for which he is a best-priced 6-1.

He continued his prolific campaign with a victory at Ballydarragh on Sunday and Tim Palin, racing manager for part-owners Middleham Park Racing, is excited about his Festival prospects.