Jamie Codd will be riding Mala Beach for Elliott in the 2019 Grand National, the Irish trainer announcing his chosen jockeys for each of his thirteen possible runners in what would be a record turnout for the stable.
Elliott has been casting doubt as to whether the ground would be suitable for Mala Beach at this year’s National but he has decided to give him a chance in what will be the second Grand National ride for top amateur jockey Codd.
Codd rode two winners at the Cheltenham Festival a few weeks ago and he finished second in the 2017 Grand National aboard Cause Of Causes.
Elliott said: “There was a doubt about Mala Beach running but we’ve decided to let him take his chance and Jamie is booked to ride him.”
Irish amateur Patrick Mullins will also take the saddle for the Elliott team at Aintree, his third ride in the famous race being Don Poli this year. Andrew Ring and Luke Dempsey will each appear in the National for the first time aboard Blow By Blow and Folsom Blue respectively. J J Slevin will ride General Principle upon whom he triumphed in the Irish National in 2018.
Should all thirteen runners find their way to post, Gordon Elliott will have almost a third of the field in the 2019 Grand National.
Grand National jockeys for Gordon Elliott
Tiger Roll Davy Russell
Don Poli Patrick Mullins
Outlander – Keith Donoghue
A Toi Phil Denis O’Regan
Dounikos – Jack Kennedy
Mala Beach – Jamie Codd
Jury Duty – Robbie Power
Monbeg Notorious – Sean Bowen
Noble Endeavor – Mark Enright
Blow By Blow – Andrew Ring
Folsom Blue – Luke Dempsey
General Principle – J J Slevin
Bless The Wings – Robbie Dunne
