Betting
AINTREE REWIND | Silver Birch & Robbie Power record victory in the 2007 Grand National
On Robbie Power’s 40th Birthday, we take a look back at one of his finest hours at Aintree
On only his second ride in the Grand National, Robbie Power tasted victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase back in 2007 thanks to a battling performance from Silver Birch.
The gelding has recently joined the yard of rookie trainer Gordon Elliott and had not won a race since landing the Welsh Grand National back in December 2004 under former trainer Paul Nicholls.
The then 10-year-old had run in the contest last season and was in touch with the leading pack, but his race came to an end when he fell at the Chair.
Power’s mount went off at a huge price of 33/1 for the 2007 Grand National and got into a nice rhythm, jumping well throughout.
Approaching the third last, Slim Pickings led the pack with Libertine and Silver Birch not too far behind him.
Elliott’s runner began to narrow the gap between him and Tom Taaffe’s recruit and he pushed in front as they jumped the final fence together.
He pushed on through the elbow but faced a challenge from the fast-approaching McKelvey who kept finding more on the home straight.
But Silver Birch battled on stoutly responding to the enthusiastic ride from Power to hold on for victory by three-quarters of a length.
The gelding would not win another race under rules, with his final appearance coming in the 2010 Grand National where he finished 12th.
