Elliott hoping for dry ground

Trainer Gordon Elliott has admitted he wants dry ground in the Crabbie’s Grand National to boost the chances of Cause Of Causes.

Elliott, who won the National with Silver Birch in 2007, is hoping the change in weather continues ahead of Saturday’s race.

Cause Of Causes won the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month but Elliott still believes the ground needs to improve if he is to have a chance.

He told At The Races: “He’s in good form. The more the ground dries out, the better he’ll be.

“He jumped four National fences up on the Curragh last week so we’re very happy with him. He had an easy week, 10 days after Cheltenham. He’s been back working away and did a nice bit of work the other day and that’s all he really needs. Travelling over takes a bit of work as well, so we’ll see what happens.”