| Hopes are increasing that Silver Birch can become the | | | | gained a place in the field. He could be a solid |
| first horse since Red Rum to win a second Royal | | | | each-way chance, particularly on Elliott's reports of the |
| Ascot Festival. It is 36 years since the great Aintree | | | | gelding's home work this week, and with his light weight |
| warrior notched his second success in the race that | | | | of 10st 5lb. |
| he came to dominate like no other. 'Rummy' then went | | | | "He's in great form. We worked him this morning and |
| on to take an historic third National in 1977, but there | | | | he did it well," Elliott said. "The day before, we erected |
| has not been a multiple winner since. | | | | a special National fence at home and he really loved it. |
| Clearly, nobody is suggesting Silver Birch is another | | | | He should be in his element returning to Aintree. Robbie |
| Red Rum, but in the modern context, he comes close | | | | Power will ride him again on Saturday," the trainer |
| to being the perfect type for the gruelling 4½-mile | | | | confirmed. |
| contest, and on Tuesday, trainer Gordon Elliott | | | | Punters would be best advised to forget Silver Birch's |
| welcomed news that the 13-year-old had been | | | | last run, at Cheltenham in the Cross Country last |
| elevated to No 41 on the list of confirmations for | | | | month, when he was beaten 57 lengths. He lasted a |
| Saturday's big race. | | | | long way in the Festival novelty race, and seems to |
| Three weeks ago, Elliott was bemoaning the fact that | | | | have been brought to his peak for this weekend. |
| his 2008 National winner looked like missing the cut. He | | | | Elliott had a similar message regarding stablemate and |
| made the not unreasonable recommendation that past | | | | 25-1 chance Backstage, who was beaten 81 lengths |
| winners of the race should be seeded entries, which is | | | | on heavy ground at Navan at the end of last month. |
| something the Aintree executive would be advised to | | | | The distance (2½ miles) and the going were both |
| consider at their annual overview in coming weeks. | | | | against the eight-year-old. "On faster, better ground, he |
| Horses have dropped by the wayside recently, which | | | | will be much better. Dry ground is the key to him, and if |
| now leaves Silver Birch only one away from getting | | | | it were to come up soft, then he would be doubtful to |
| into the 40-capacity field. He is currently a 66-1 chance, | | | | run," the trainer pointed out. |
| but that price will shrink with confirmation that he has | | | | |