Horse racing: Silver Birch wins the 2007 Grand National

April 14, 2007

Silver Birch has won the 2007 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. Ridden by Robbie Power and trained by Gordon Elliott, the 33-1 outsider won the 4 mile 4 furlong (7.2 km) race by three-quarters of a length, becoming the sixth Irish winner in the past nine years. Thirteen horses finished the race out of 40 starters. Slim Pickings, leading the race at the penultimate fence, was overtaken by Silver Birch on the last jump. Silver Birch then held off a late challenge by McKelvey in a close finish. McKelvey came in second at 12-1, while Slim Pickings finished third at 33-1 and Philson Run fourth at 100-1. Numbersixvalverde, winner of the 2006 race, finished sixth while the 2005 winner Hedgehunter finished ninth. The 8-1 joint favourites Point Barrow, Joes Edge and Monkerhostin failed to finish, with Point Barrow falling at the first fence.