Birch on target for National
The 12-year-old was victorious in the Aintree spectacular two years ago but was forced to miss all of last season with injury.
Silver Birch has been allotted 10st 6lb by the handicapper, the exact weight he carried to victory in 2007, and he returned from his injury with a victory in a point-to-point last weekend.
“He was having his first run back and he did it well and he has come out of the race grand so it’s great,” said Elliott
“We had him back in training last year but he got a bit of heat in his tendon so we had to ease off him.
“But he’s had his time off, everything is good at the moment, he came back and won so all roads lead to Aintree again.
“He has plenty of experience but he’s only had 21 runs in his life and some horses can do that in two seasons – there’s still plenty of spark left in him.
“He might have a run in a point-to-point and then go for a hurdle, he’ll definitely have a run or two before the National.
“You could do worse than having a few bob on him each-way,” he said.
Silver Birch is around the 40-1 mark for the Grand National.
lIn order to ensure that the chase course at Gowran Park is delivered in optimum condition for racing tomorrow, The Red Mills Chase (Grade 2) will now be the first race (2:05) followed on the card by the Irish Stallion Farm EBF Handicap Chase (2:35) and the Inistioge Beginners Chase (3:05).
