Elliott eyes future success following Aintree win

Gordon Elliott is hoping Silver Birch's Grand National win can kickstart his fledgling training career.

The revitalised 10-year-old, who won the 2004 Welsh National when in the care of Paul Nicholls, held the late thrust of McKelvey by three-quarters of a length to record a famous victory.

Elliott reported Silver Birch to be in top form this morning and the 29-year-old is now hoping for a few new owners at his Trim yard in Co Meath.

"He's fine, he's in good order and he ate up this morning," said Elliott.

"He's got a few scratches, but nothing serious.

"It is just about beginning to sink in, but I still can't believe it, it was absolutely unbelievable.

"Hopefully this will put the yard on the map and give us a bit of kickstart.

"We've just tried to keep him sweet since we got him and it seems to have worked.

"I didn't know what to think when McKelvey came lunging at us, but it worked out well in the end.

"It's absolutely fantastic and it couldn't have gone any better."

McKelvey suffered a tendon injury in the process of his heroic effort, but trainer Peter Bowen is confident of him making a full recovery.

"He'll be all right and he will be back next year," said Bowen.

"It's not too serious an injury, he hasn't done a serious job on it. We have a spa here so he'll be in there three times a day and he'll be getting the best treatment.

"I was both delighted and gutted with his run. I don't want to take anything away from the winner, but the injury must have cost him the race.

"It must have cost him a couple of lengths and we weren't beaten that far."

Tom Taaffe, trainer of third-placed Slim Pickings, was not at Aintree to see the race after a travel mix-up, but was nonetheless delighted with his charge's performance.

"I haven't got as big a buzz out of any race for a long time and I probably saw more by watching the race at home," he said.

"Barry (Geraghty) and I fancied him all along, especially as he had such a nice weight. They then have to take to the fences, but he took to it like a duck to water.

"He's come out of it fine and we'll aim to go back there next year.

"A year is a long time and the likes of Butler's Cabin will be coming into the mix, but we were absolutely delighted and the owners had a great day."

Joes Edge, one of three 8-1 co-favourites along with Point Barrow and Monkerhostin, is recovering well after pulling up lame before the 20th fence.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy said: "He had a session in the equine spa last night and another one this morning and I would say he's 50% better than yesterday.

"We think he got a bit of a dead leg, sort of like footballers get, as he got a kick from another horse as he was jumping Valentine's.

"There's quite a bit of bruising, but I don't think it's anything too serious. We may have him scanned tomorrow, we will see how he is. He's got a lot of swelling."

Both Point Barrow, who crashed out at the first fence, and Monkerhostin, who refused at the seventh. returned unscathed.

"He's perfect this morning. The jockey (Philip Carberry) said he put too much power into it and just overjumped it," said Pat Hughes, trainer of Point Barrow.

"I don't know where we will go now. He's in the Betfred (at Sandown on April 28), but it will depend on the ground as I wouldn't want to run him if it's not right."

Phillip Hobbs is also considering Sandown for Monkerhostin.

He said: "Monkerhostin could go to Punchestown or Sandown next - we'll have to have a think."

Jockey Davy Russell was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays after parting company with the Willie Mullins-trained Livingstonebramble at Becher's Brook on the first circuit.

However, he suffered no serious injury and hopes to be back in action later this week.

Trainer Charles Egerton also issued an upbeat bulletin on Graphic Approach, who suffered a concussion after falling Becher's Brook on the second circuit.

The nine-year-old was down on the track for some time and the following novice chase was delayed by some 45 minutes while the closing bumper was abandoned so vets could attend to him.

"He's at the Royal Liverpool Veterinary College. He's stable and there has been some significant improvement overnight," said Egerton.

"I would like to thank the Aintree veterinary team for their very professional and slick response.

"They were so professional and did a very good job. I would also like to thank the Aintree team for putting the welfare of the horse first.

"It is a relief to hear he's improving."