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