Backstage primed for National

Backstage is all set for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree following his prep race on unsuitable ground at Navan on Saturday when he was last of eight finishers behind Glencove Marina.

“I’m very happy with him, he’s 100%,” said trainer Gordon Elliott.

“I just wanted to get his eye in over fences. The ground was totally against him but we got a good blow into him and it was a good eye opener.