Aintree next for Chicago Grey

Chicago Grey will head straight for the John Smith's Grand National after delighting connections in his latest run at Gowran.

Elliott delighted with grey stayer

It's Aintree next for Chicago Grey after he delighted Gordon Elliott with his latest run in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park. The John Smith's Grand National is now on the cards for the nine-year-old who took second place behind the smart Rubi Light over two and a half miles on his last start. Chicago Grey will bypass next month's Cheltenham Festival, where he won the four-mile National Hunt Chase last season, and be prepared for the National on April 14. His trainer knows what it takes to win the big race on Merseyside, having tasted glory with Silver Birch in 2007, although no grey has been successful since Nicolaus Silver in 1961. "He's good and will go straight to the Grand National now," said the County Meath handler. "We were very happy with his run at Gowran. The two and a half miles was way too short for him." Chicago Grey, who has been given 10st 13lb in the National, is a top-priced 25-1.