2007 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Grand National (known as the John Smith's
Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National
steeplechase
which took place at Aintree Racecourse
near Liverpool
, England
, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000 including £399,140 to the winner.
33-1 shot Silver Birch
, ridden by Robbie Power
, edged out McKelvey to win the race by three-quarters of a length. Joint-favourite Point Barrow, at odds of 8-1, fell at the first fence. The meeting was attended by around 70,000 spectators at Aintree, and an estimated 16 million adults placed bets on the race.
winner Joe's Edge was the long-time ante-post favourite but public money on race day came for 2006 Irish Grand National
winner Point Barrow after being tipped by several morning newspaper tipsters but the big plunge bets went on the heavyweight Monkerhostin who had recently run well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
. Not surprisingly the two former winners in the race, Hedgehunter
, under the 11 stone 12 lb top weight and Numbersixvalverde
were both heavily supported, along with Longshanks who had twice been placed in the Topham Trophy over one circuit of the course, and the 2006 Summer National winner McKelvey
.
Joint-favourite Point Barrow caused a huge groan from the stands and for millions watching on television by falling at the first fence, ending debutant rider Philip Carberry's National within a minute of it starting. Another debut rider, Wayne Hutchinson was left hanging on to his mount Tikram until finally being unseated as the horse went to jump the second fence.
The Outlier was the first to emerge as the leader and was tracked by Bewley's Berry, Naunton Brook and Ballycassidy as the field successfully negotiated the fences down to the sixth, Becher's Brook
.
At the famous brook, Dominic Elsworth found himself falling off his mount Le Duc when he shouted to nearby rival Mick Fiztgerald on board Kelami for help. Fitzgerald pushed Elsworth only for the rider to remain unbalanced and fall off the other side instead. At the same fence Jack High crumpled on landing and fell, while Davy Russell was also thrown from Livingstone Bramble, requiring a trip to hospital for precautionary X-rays on his back.
As the field continued towards the seventh fence (Foinavon) Zabenz was pulled up, a stirrup leather having broken. Monkerhostin's rider Richard Johnson was also having to contend with a broken stirrup leather but his horse was not enjoying the experience and dug his heels in at Foinavon and refused.
Naunton Brook was now in the lead as the field took the 90-degree Canal Turn
with Bewley's Berry, Ballycassidy and The Outlier next. Only Tom Doyle was caught out by the sharp turn and was ejected from Knowhere out the side, while right behind them Kandjar D'allier was baulked by two loose horses and crashed into the fence, almost bringing down Homer Wells in the process.
Of the thirty-one remaining only Royal Auclair failed to negotiate the four fences along the canal side that took the field back onto the race course for the first time, falling at the first of those, Valentine's brook, badly hampering Eurotrek.
Naunton Brook and Ballycassidy continued to set the pace as the runners came in front of the stands and made their way towards The Chair. Gallant Approach survived a bad mistake here which put him out of centention, while Cloudy Bays refused when tailed off. Dun Doire was also tailed off at this stage as the field of twenty-nine runners took the water jump and began the second circuit.
The front running Naunton Brook began to show signs of fatigue as Ballcycassidy and Bewley's Berry now took the field over the fences down to Becher's. The Outlier unshipped his rider at the 19th fence (open ditch) as well as Idle Talk, who was already beaten when he dropped a foreleg into the ditch and failed to take off. Billyvoddan was the first of the tailenders to pull up before taking the fence, and the last of the disappointing joint-favourites, Joe's Edge, did the same before the 20th when he was found to have gone lame. Both Homer Wells and Eurotrek had been struggling since they were hampered earlier in the race by fallers. Now with their chances gone they were both pulled up before Becher's Brook along with another tail ender, Celtic Son to leave twenty-two runners still racing.
Bewley's Berry was out in front and cantering when he was caught out by the steep drop at Becher's and fell, leaving Simon and Libertine in front while Graphic Approach was losing touch when he fell, while Naunton Brook was pulled up after jumping the brook.
By the second jump of the Canal Turn, Bothar Na, Sonevafushi and Kelami were losing touch. Puntal, Clan Royal, Gallant Approach and Dun Doire were beaten and tailed off.
Ballycassidy was beginning to slow when he turned too sharply and threw his rider, while at the next fence (Valentine's) Simon came down when in second place. Slim Pickings moved into the lead at the next and by the third-last was at the head of a group of ten runners that still carried chances of winning.
The long run to the second-last flight spread the pack out with Slim Pickings taking the fence just ahead of Silver Birch. At the last, Silver Birch landed just in front and began to get away from Slim Pickings on the long run-in. At the elbow, Silver Birch began to labour and Slim Pickings fought back, with McKelvey finishing best. The finishing post came just in time for Silver Birch to win by three-quarters of a length, with McKelvey second by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Slim Pickings finished third, fifteen lengths in front of fourth placed Philson Run.
Libertine was fifth, Numbersixvalverde sixth, Longshanks seventh, Puntal eighth and Hedgehunter ninth, a distance ahead of L'ami in tenth, Clan Royal in eleventh, and Gallant Approach the last of twelve to complete. Dun Doire pulled up three fences from home, Sonevafushi and Bothar Na bypassed the second-last, and Kelami and Thisthatandtother missed out the final flight.
Starter Peter Haines came in for criticism for his handling of the start after the runners had charged the tape at the first attempt. Many race commentators felt that Haines was then too picky in trying to get a good line for the restart as he ordered the runners to turn back from the start five times before finally letting them go at the sixth attempt.
The race after the National had to be abandoned after Graphic Approach collapsed on the hurdles course suffering from concussion and heat stroke. The horse had fallen at Becher's Brook on the second circuit but continued riderless until the lest fence when the horse ran towards the crowd and tried to jump the fence into the spectators. In the days after the race the horse looked to be on the road to recovery but eventually had to be euthanised.
McKelvey was also found to have suffered an injury late in the race which would rule him out for almost the entire next season. The injury almost certainly cost him victory.
Winning jockey Robbie Power received a four-day ban from the stewards who found that during the run-in he had used his whip too often and also struck Silver Birch too near the stifle. Third-placed Barry Garaghty was also given a three-day ban for overuse of the whip on Slim Pickings.
Davy Russell required hospital treatment after being thrown from Livingstone Bramble at Becher's Brook on the first circuit for precautionary X-rays on his shoulder and back.
2007 was one of the warmest Nationals on record with temperatures at race time hitting 22 degrees Celsius.
as a Grandstand
special for the 48th consecutive year. However it was to be the last time the race was broadcast as a Grandstand special, as the programme was discontinued before the following year's race. The televising of the race included cameras inside the first fence and two cameras inside jockey's caps (Jamie Moore on Thisthatandtother and Tom Doyle on Knowhere). The programme was presented by Sue Barker
and Clare Balding
with summary from John Parrott
, Richard Pitman
and Norman Williamson
. The race commentary team was Ian Bartlett
, Tony O'Heir, Darren Owen
and lead commentator Jim McGrath
who called the runners home for the tenth year.
and Carberry in 1999
but McCoy became the eighth rider to have taken twelve rides without being winner or runner-up.
Eight riders made their Grand National debut, with Tom O'Brien finishing second, Daryl Jacob fourth and Sam Waley-Cohen
fifth. Wayne Hutchinson and Philip Carberry's debuts both ended at the first fence, while Denis O'Regan, David Condon and Paul O'Neill also failed to complete the course.
John Smith's Brewery
John Smith's is a brewery founded in 1758 by Backhouse & Hartley at Tadcaster in North Yorkshire, England. John Smith bought the brewery in 1847. John Smith's is the sixth highest selling beer brand in the United Kingdom, and the highest selling ale brand. The brewery is currently owned by...
Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
which took place at Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
near Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000 including £399,140 to the winner.
33-1 shot Silver Birch
Silver Birch (horse)
Silver Birch is an Irish-trained thoroughbred racehorse, owned by Brian Walsh of County Kildare. Ridden by Robbie Power and trained by 29 year-old Gordon Elliott, Silver Birch was the winner of the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on Saturday 14 April 2007...
, ridden by Robbie Power
Robbie Power
Robbie "Puppy" Power, son of Irish show-jumper Con Power, is the National Hunt jockey who rode 33-1 outsider Silver Birch to victory in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 14 April 2007 .-Footnotes:...
, edged out McKelvey to win the race by three-quarters of a length. Joint-favourite Point Barrow, at odds of 8-1, fell at the first fence. The meeting was attended by around 70,000 spectators at Aintree, and an estimated 16 million adults placed bets on the race.
Runners and betting
2005 Scottish Grand NationalScottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...
winner Joe's Edge was the long-time ante-post favourite but public money on race day came for 2006 Irish Grand National
Irish Grand National
The Irish Grand National is a National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped...
winner Point Barrow after being tipped by several morning newspaper tipsters but the big plunge bets went on the heavyweight Monkerhostin who had recently run well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
. Not surprisingly the two former winners in the race, Hedgehunter
Hedgehunter
Hedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde...
, under the 11 stone 12 lb top weight and Numbersixvalverde
Numbersixvalverde
Numbersixvalverde is an Irish race horse who won both the 2005 Irish Grand National and 2006 Aintree Grand National steeplechase, beating Hedgehunter by six lengths with Niall 'Slippers' Madden in the saddle....
were both heavily supported, along with Longshanks who had twice been placed in the Topham Trophy over one circuit of the course, and the 2006 Summer National winner McKelvey
McKelvey
McKelvey was a British-trained thoroughbred racehorse, ridden by Tom O'Brien and trained by Peter Bowen.-Racing career:McKelvey won the 2006 Summer National and came second in the 2007 Grand National...
.
| Starting price | Number | Name | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Colours |
| 8/1 JF | 39 | Joe's Edge | 10 | 10-2 | Graham Lee Graham Lee (jockey) Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy... |
Ferdy Murphy | Chemipetro Ltd. | Grey with red cross of lorraine, checked sleeves and red cap |
| 8/1 JF | 4 | Monkerhostin | 10 | 11-6 | Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (jockey) Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:... |
Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset.... |
M. G. St. Quinton | Yellow and pink diamonds, yellow sleeves and cap |
| 8/1 JF | 13 | Point Barrow | 9 | 10-12 | Philip Carberry | Philip Hughes (Ireland Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... ) |
P. Clune Hughes | Violet with purple trim and quartered cap |
| 9/1 | 1 | Hedgehunter Hedgehunter Hedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde... |
11 | 11-12 | Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:... |
Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland... (Ireland) |
Trevor Hemmings Trevor Hemmings Trevor James Hemmings CVO is a British businessman, he was born in London, and grew up in Leyland, Lancashire He currently resides in the Isle of Man, but has homes in Jersey and Ireland.... |
Green/yellow quarters with white sleeves and green cap |
| 12/1 | 35 | McKelvey McKelvey McKelvey was a British-trained thoroughbred racehorse, ridden by Tom O'Brien and trained by Peter Bowen.-Racing career:McKelvey won the 2006 Summer National and came second in the 2007 Grand National... |
8 | 10-4 | Tom O'Brien Tom O'Brien (jockey) Tom O'Brien is an Irish jockey.Son of Wexford-born Jim O'Brien, O'Brien began his career in racing riding out for his uncle, shay slevin in wexford before starting to ride out for uncle Aidan O'Brien where he rode legendary horses such as High Chaparral and Rock of Gibraltar.After riding in... |
Peter Bowen | N. Elliott | Green with red V, checked cap |
| 14/1 | 25 | Longshanks | 10 | 10-7 | Tony Dobbin Tony Dobbin Tony Dobbin is a retired Northern Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He rode the winner of the Grand National on Lord Gyllene in 1997 and won over 1,200 races during his career in the saddle. He was the regular stable jockey for Nicky Richards... |
Kim Bailey | Alan Halsall | Blue with dark green sleeves and cap |
| 14/1 | 7 | Numbersixvalverde Numbersixvalverde Numbersixvalverde is an Irish race horse who won both the 2005 Irish Grand National and 2006 Aintree Grand National steeplechase, beating Hedgehunter by six lengths with Niall 'Slippers' Madden in the saddle.... |
11 | 11-3 | Niall Madden Niall Madden Niall "Slippers" Madden is an Irish jockey who rode the racehorse Numbersixvalverde to win the 2006 Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse.... |
Martin Brassill (Ireland) | Bernard Carroll | Green with black sleeves and white cap |
| 16/1 | 6 | Billyvoddan | 8 | 11-4 | Leighton Aspell | Henry Daly | Trevor Hemmings Trevor Hemmings Trevor James Hemmings CVO is a British businessman, he was born in London, and grew up in Leyland, Lancashire He currently resides in the Isle of Man, but has homes in Jersey and Ireland.... |
Green and yellow quarters, white sleeves and cap |
| 16/1 | 2 | Eurotrek | 11 | 11-8 | Liam Heard | Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing) Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money... |
Paul Green | Blue with dark blue diamond on body and cap |
| 16/1 | 3 | L'ami | 8 | 11-8 | Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey.... |
François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... (France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... ) |
J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into... |
Green and orange hoops, white cap |
| 20/1 | 26 | Bothar Na | 10 | 10-7 | David Casey | Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland... (Ireland) |
Mrs. Michael O'Dwyer | Green with red sash, sleeves and cap |
| 20/1 | 20 | Dun Doire | 8 | 10-18 | Paul Carberry Paul Carberry Paul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers... |
Tony Martin (Ireland) | Dunderry racing syndicate | Green and black hoops, black sleeves, black and white quartered cap |
| 20/1 | 8 | Idle Talk | 8 | 11-2 | Jason Maguire Jason Maguire Jason Maguire , is a Irish horse racing jockey who won the 2011 Grand National on Ballabriggs.-Early life and career:Maguire is the nephew of another former jockey Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and as he started his career rode his first winner, Search For Peace at Cheltenham... |
Donald McCain, Jr. Donald McCain, Jr. Donald McCain, Jr. is an English racehorse trainer and former jockey whose father, Ginger McCain, trained four Grand National winning horses.McCain, Jr., has trained four Cheltenham Festival winners as well as the 2011 Grand National winner, Ballabriggs.... |
Trevor Hemmings Trevor Hemmings Trevor James Hemmings CVO is a British businessman, he was born in London, and grew up in Leyland, Lancashire He currently resides in the Isle of Man, but has homes in Jersey and Ireland.... |
Yellow and green quarters, white sleeves, red cap |
| 20/1 | 15 | Simon | 8 | 10-11 | Andrew Thornton Andrew Thornton Andrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey. He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. He is not related to... |
John Spearing | Mercy Rimell | Claret with sky blue spots on body, reversed cap |
| 22/1 | 24 | Bewley's Berry | 9 | 10-7 | Paddy Brennan Paddy Brennan (jockey) Paddy Brennan, is an Irish jockey who rode the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.A native of Ardrahan, County Galway, Brennan was a keen GAA player with dreams of becoming a county hurler. He only became involved in horseracing after a neighbour noticed his talent with hunt horses... |
Howard Johnson | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Chocolate and brown halves, chocolate sleeves with brown hoops, chocolate cap |
| 33/1 | 16 | Ballycassidy | 11 | 10-9 | Denis O'Regan | Peter Bowen | Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar | White, red V, red and green striped sleeves, red cap |
| 33/1 | 17 | Clan Royal | 12 | 10-9 | John P. McNamara | Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and... |
J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into... |
Green and orange hoops, green cap with white star |
| 33/1 | 18 | Gallant Approach | 8 | 10-9 | Jimmy McCarthy | Charlie Egerton | Byrne Bros. (Formwork) Ltd. | Blue with white hollow square and lower sleeves, blue cap |
| 33/1 | 28 | Homer Wells | 9 | 10-6 | David Condon | Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland... (Ireland) |
Margaret McMahon | Purple, yellow V and cap |
| 33/1 | 37 | Jack High | 12 | 10-3 | Richard McGrath | Ted Walsh Ted Walsh Ted Walsh is an amateur jockey turned racehorse trainer, based in Kill, County Kildare, Ireland. He was born and raised in Co. Cork. As a rider, one of his most important wins was on Attitude Adjuster in the 1986 Cheltenham Festival Foxhunter Chase... (Ireland) |
Ms. B. Ross, M. McShane, D. Montgomery David Montgomery David Montgomery is Farnam Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University. Montgomery is considered one of the foremost academics specializing in United States labor history and has written extensively on the subject. Along with David Brody and Herbert Gutman, he is credited with founding the... & W. Moo |
Pink with blue diamond hoop and diamonds on sleeves, white cap |
| 33/1 | 12 | Kelami | 9 | 10-12 | Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald is an Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He has ridden the winners of the Grand National, on Rough Quest in 1996, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999. He was the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson and was leading jockey at the... |
François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... (France) |
Halewood International Ltd. | Black, red and white striped sleeves and hooped cap |
| 33/1 | 9 | Royal Auclair | 10 | 11-1 | Joe Tizzard | Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing) Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money... |
Clive Smith Clive Smith Clive Smith may refer to:*Clive Smith , Kingston Polytechnic lecturer, trained as a cosmonaut in the USSR under Project Juno, British space programme in the early 1990s... |
Green with yellow spots and lower sleeves, purple cap |
| 33/1 | 30 | Silver Birch Silver Birch (horse) Silver Birch is an Irish-trained thoroughbred racehorse, owned by Brian Walsh of County Kildare. Ridden by Robbie Power and trained by 29 year-old Gordon Elliott, Silver Birch was the winner of the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on Saturday 14 April 2007... |
10 | 10-6 | Robbie Power Robbie Power Robbie "Puppy" Power, son of Irish show-jumper Con Power, is the National Hunt jockey who rode 33-1 outsider Silver Birch to victory in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 14 April 2007 .-Footnotes:... |
Gordon Elliott Gordon Elliott (racehorse trainer) Gordon Elliott is a County Meath-based National Hunt racehorse trainer who was 29 when his first Grand National entry, the 33 to 1 outsider Silver Birch won the 2007 race on 14 April, 2007... (Ireland) |
Brian Walsh | Black with sky blue star and sleeves with black stars, sky blue cap |
| 33/1 | 22 | Slim Pickings | 8 | 10-8 | Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty is an Irish jockey.Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997, three years later he became the Irish Champion jump jockey for the first time. He rode his first Cheltenham winner on the Jessica Harrington trained Moscow Flyer in the 2002 Arkle Chase.He won the Grand National in... |
Tom Taffe | Doubtful Five syndicate | White with blue checks, sleeves and cap |
| 40/1 | 29 | Liberthine (mare Mare Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer... ) |
8 | 10-6 | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen Sam Waley-Cohen Sam Waley-Cohen is an English National Hunt amateur jockey and businessman.-Early life:Waley-Cohen is the son of businessman, racehorse breeder and trainer Robert Waley-Cohen, nephew of the theatre owner and producer Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen Bt... |
Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire... |
Robert Waley-Cohen | Brown with orange sleeves, quartered cap |
| 50/1 | 14 | Celtic Son | 8 | 10-11 | Timmy Murphy Timmy Murphy Timothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :... |
David Pipe David Pipe (racehorse trainer) The son of the prolific horseracing trainer Martin Pipe David Pipe is the trainer of the David Johnson owned Comply or Die, who ridden by Timmy Murphy won the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree racecourse.... |
David Johnson David Johnson (racehorse owner) David Johnson, a former £9 a week bank clerk who rose to become a multi-millionaire in the finance industry, is a hugely successful British thoroughbred racehorse owner whose Comply or Die ridden by Timmy Murphy and trained by David Pipe was the winner of the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at... |
Blue, green sleeves, white cap with green spots |
| 50/1 | 5 | Thisthatandtother | 11 | 11-5 | Jamie Moore Jamie Moore (jockey) Jamie Moore is an English National Hunt jockey. He is the brother of champion flat jockey Ryan Moore, and son of successful dual-purpose trainer Gary L. Moore.... |
Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing) Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money... |
Graham Roache | Red with white crossbelts, hoops on sleeves and star on cap |
| 66/1 | 40 | Le Duc | 8 | 10-2 | Dominic Elsworth | Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing) Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money... |
Stewart family | Black and white halves, red sleeves and cap |
| 66/1 | 23 | Zabenz | 10 | 10-8 | Barry Fenton | Philip Hobbs | Michael Watt Michael Watt Michael Watt is a former professional footballer. He was a goalkeeper who played for Aberdeen, Norwich City and Kilmarnock.Watt began his career with Aberdeen, where he was capped twelve times by Scotland under-21s... |
Khaki with green cap |
| 80/1 | 32 | Puntal Puntal Puntal is a National Hunt racehorse, who won the Betfred Gold Cup in 2004 and who ran in five consecutive Grand Nationals from 2003 to 2007 with limited success. He was formally trained in France before moving to Martin Pipe in 2002... |
10 | 10-6 | Tom Scudamore Tom Scudamore Tom Scudamore is a third-generation British flat and steeplechase jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National on Oxo in 1959.-Background:... |
David Pipe David Pipe (racehorse trainer) The son of the prolific horseracing trainer Martin Pipe David Pipe is the trainer of the David Johnson owned Comply or Die, who ridden by Timmy Murphy won the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree racecourse.... |
Terry Neill Terry Neill William John Terence "Terry" Neill is a Northern Ireland former football player and manager.-Playing career:Born in Belfast, Neill played as a youth for Bangor, before moving in December 1959 to Arsenal. He spent a year in Arsenal's youth side, before making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday... |
White with red spotted sash, armbands and quartered cap |
| 100/1 | 10 | Cloudy Bays | 10 | 11-0 | Andrew McNamara | Charles Byrne (Ireland) | Cloudy Bay syndicate | Black and white stripes with quartered cap |
| 100/1 | 27 | Graphic Approach | 10 | 10-7 | Paul Moloney | Charlie Egerton | Mr. & Mrs. Peter Orton Peter Orton Peter Charles Orton was a British media entrepreneur and television producer noted for his work in children's television. He founded HiT Entertainment in 1989.Orton lead the company from 1989 to 2005 when he sold it to Apax... |
Green with pink and white striped sleeves, pink cap |
| 100/1 | 21 | Kandjar D'allier | 9 | 10-8 | Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey) Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King.... |
Alan King Alan King (horse racing) Alan King is a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at Barbury Castle stables near Wroughton, Wiltshire.... |
Let's Live Racing | Sky with black centre pin stripe and armbands |
| 100/1 | 11 | Knowhere | 9 | 10-13 | Tom Doyle | Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire.... |
Raymond Mould | Green with white stars |
| 100/1 | 19 | Livingstone Bramble | 11 | 10-9 | Davy Russell | Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland... (Ireland) |
Favourites Racing | Blue with white star, red sleeves with white stars red cap with white star |
| 100/1 | 31 | Philson Run | 10 | 10-6 | Daryl Jacob | Nick Williams | Gale Force One | Yellow with orange races, grey lower sleeves and orange spots on cap |
| 125/1 | 36 | Naunton Brook | 8 | 10-4 | Noel Fehily | Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire.... |
David Langdon | Green and blue stripes, green sleeves, red cap with blue star |
| 125/1 | 34 | Tikram | 9 | 10-5 | Wayne Hutchinson | Alan King Alan King (horse racing) Alan King is a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at Barbury Castle stables near Wroughton, Wiltshire.... |
Mike Charlton & Roger Sargent | Green with range sleeves and cap |
| 125/1 | 33 | The Outlier | 10 | 10-6 | Paul O'Neill | Venetia Williams Venetia Williams Venetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England.... |
P. J. Murphy | Pink with brown crossbelts and spots on cap |
| 150/1 | 38 | Sonevafushi | 9 | 10-3 | Tom Greenall | Venetia Williams Venetia Williams Venetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England.... |
Mr. B. C. Dice | Green and black hoops, green upper, black lower sleeves, green cap |
The race
Cloudy Bays broke the tape when the runners were sent off for the first time, resulting in a false start. The long delay in getting the runners set again had many on their toes and they set off at a very fast pace second time. By then Cloudy Bays had little interest in taking part and was left by thirty lengths at the start.Joint-favourite Point Barrow caused a huge groan from the stands and for millions watching on television by falling at the first fence, ending debutant rider Philip Carberry's National within a minute of it starting. Another debut rider, Wayne Hutchinson was left hanging on to his mount Tikram until finally being unseated as the horse went to jump the second fence.
The Outlier was the first to emerge as the leader and was tracked by Bewley's Berry, Naunton Brook and Ballycassidy as the field successfully negotiated the fences down to the sixth, Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year...
.
At the famous brook, Dominic Elsworth found himself falling off his mount Le Duc when he shouted to nearby rival Mick Fiztgerald on board Kelami for help. Fitzgerald pushed Elsworth only for the rider to remain unbalanced and fall off the other side instead. At the same fence Jack High crumpled on landing and fell, while Davy Russell was also thrown from Livingstone Bramble, requiring a trip to hospital for precautionary X-rays on his back.
As the field continued towards the seventh fence (Foinavon) Zabenz was pulled up, a stirrup leather having broken. Monkerhostin's rider Richard Johnson was also having to contend with a broken stirrup leather but his horse was not enjoying the experience and dug his heels in at Foinavon and refused.
Naunton Brook was now in the lead as the field took the 90-degree Canal Turn
Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
with Bewley's Berry, Ballycassidy and The Outlier next. Only Tom Doyle was caught out by the sharp turn and was ejected from Knowhere out the side, while right behind them Kandjar D'allier was baulked by two loose horses and crashed into the fence, almost bringing down Homer Wells in the process.
Of the thirty-one remaining only Royal Auclair failed to negotiate the four fences along the canal side that took the field back onto the race course for the first time, falling at the first of those, Valentine's brook, badly hampering Eurotrek.
Naunton Brook and Ballycassidy continued to set the pace as the runners came in front of the stands and made their way towards The Chair. Gallant Approach survived a bad mistake here which put him out of centention, while Cloudy Bays refused when tailed off. Dun Doire was also tailed off at this stage as the field of twenty-nine runners took the water jump and began the second circuit.
The front running Naunton Brook began to show signs of fatigue as Ballcycassidy and Bewley's Berry now took the field over the fences down to Becher's. The Outlier unshipped his rider at the 19th fence (open ditch) as well as Idle Talk, who was already beaten when he dropped a foreleg into the ditch and failed to take off. Billyvoddan was the first of the tailenders to pull up before taking the fence, and the last of the disappointing joint-favourites, Joe's Edge, did the same before the 20th when he was found to have gone lame. Both Homer Wells and Eurotrek had been struggling since they were hampered earlier in the race by fallers. Now with their chances gone they were both pulled up before Becher's Brook along with another tail ender, Celtic Son to leave twenty-two runners still racing.
Bewley's Berry was out in front and cantering when he was caught out by the steep drop at Becher's and fell, leaving Simon and Libertine in front while Graphic Approach was losing touch when he fell, while Naunton Brook was pulled up after jumping the brook.
By the second jump of the Canal Turn, Bothar Na, Sonevafushi and Kelami were losing touch. Puntal, Clan Royal, Gallant Approach and Dun Doire were beaten and tailed off.
Ballycassidy was beginning to slow when he turned too sharply and threw his rider, while at the next fence (Valentine's) Simon came down when in second place. Slim Pickings moved into the lead at the next and by the third-last was at the head of a group of ten runners that still carried chances of winning.
The long run to the second-last flight spread the pack out with Slim Pickings taking the fence just ahead of Silver Birch. At the last, Silver Birch landed just in front and began to get away from Slim Pickings on the long run-in. At the elbow, Silver Birch began to labour and Slim Pickings fought back, with McKelvey finishing best. The finishing post came just in time for Silver Birch to win by three-quarters of a length, with McKelvey second by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Slim Pickings finished third, fifteen lengths in front of fourth placed Philson Run.
Libertine was fifth, Numbersixvalverde sixth, Longshanks seventh, Puntal eighth and Hedgehunter ninth, a distance ahead of L'ami in tenth, Clan Royal in eleventh, and Gallant Approach the last of twelve to complete. Dun Doire pulled up three fences from home, Sonevafushi and Bothar Na bypassed the second-last, and Kelami and Thisthatandtother missed out the final flight.
Finishing order
| Position | Name | Starting price | Distance | Prize money |
| 1st | Silver Birch | 33/1 | Won by ¾ length | £399,140 |
| 2nd | McKelvey | 12/1 | 1¼ lengths | £149,730 |
| 3rd | Slim Pickings | 33/1 | 15 lengths | £74,970 |
| 4th | Philson Run | 100/1 | 5 lengths | £37,380 |
| 5th | Libertine | 40/1 | 21 lengths | £18,760 |
| 6th | Numbersixvalverde | 14/1 | 1¼ lengths | £9,380 |
| 7th | Longshanks | 14/1 | 13 lengths | Nil |
| 8th | Puntal | 80/1 | 1½ lengths | Nil |
| 9th | Hedgehunter | 9/1 | A distance | Nil |
| 10th | L'ami | 14/1 | 14 lengths | Nil |
| 11th | Clan Royal | 33/1 | 2 lengths | Nil |
| 12th | Gallant Approach | 33/1 | Last to complete | Nil |
Non-finishers
| Fence | Name | Fate |
| 1st | Point Barrow | Fell |
| Tikram | Unseated | |
| 6th (Becher's Brook) | Le Duc | Unseated |
| Livingstone Bramble | Unseated | |
| Jack High | Fell | |
| 7th (Foinavon) | Zabenz | Pulled up |
| Monkerhostin | Refused | |
| 8th (Canal Turn) | Knowhere | Unseated |
| Kandjar D'Allier | Baulked, fell | |
| 9th (Valentine's) | Royal Auclair | Fell |
| 15th (The Chair) | Cloudy Bays | Refused |
| 19th | Billyvoddan | Pulled up |
| The Outlier | Fell | |
| Idle Talk | Fell | |
| 20th | Joe's Edge | Pulled up |
| 22nd (Becher's Brook) | Celtic Son | Pulled up |
| Homer Wells | Pulled up | |
| Eurotrek | Pulled up | |
| Bewley's Berry | Fell | |
| Graphic Approach | Fell | |
| 23rd (Foinavon) | Naunton Brook | Pulled up |
| 24th (Canal Turn) | Ballycassidy | Unseated |
| 25th (Valentine's) | Simon | Fell |
| 27th (open ditch) | Dun Doire | Pulled up |
| 29th | Bothar Na | Pulled up |
| Sonevafushi | Pulled up | |
| 30th | Thisthatandtother | Pulled up |
| Kelami | Pulled up |
Aftermath
The winning rider-trainer-owner combination were among the youngest and least experienced in the history of the race with just one National between them, being a previous ride for 25-year-old jockey Robbie Power. Trainer Gordon Elliott was the youngest in the race and won with his first National entrant while owner Brian Walsh had bought the horse for 20,000 guineas the previous year as the first horse to carry his colours in the race. With a 33/1 winner and only one horse placed at a shorter price it was also a good day for the bookmakers who retained much of the £250 million gambled in the United Kingdom alone on the race, as none of the three joint-favourites completed the course.Starter Peter Haines came in for criticism for his handling of the start after the runners had charged the tape at the first attempt. Many race commentators felt that Haines was then too picky in trying to get a good line for the restart as he ordered the runners to turn back from the start five times before finally letting them go at the sixth attempt.
The race after the National had to be abandoned after Graphic Approach collapsed on the hurdles course suffering from concussion and heat stroke. The horse had fallen at Becher's Brook on the second circuit but continued riderless until the lest fence when the horse ran towards the crowd and tried to jump the fence into the spectators. In the days after the race the horse looked to be on the road to recovery but eventually had to be euthanised.
McKelvey was also found to have suffered an injury late in the race which would rule him out for almost the entire next season. The injury almost certainly cost him victory.
Winning jockey Robbie Power received a four-day ban from the stewards who found that during the run-in he had used his whip too often and also struck Silver Birch too near the stifle. Third-placed Barry Garaghty was also given a three-day ban for overuse of the whip on Slim Pickings.
Davy Russell required hospital treatment after being thrown from Livingstone Bramble at Becher's Brook on the first circuit for precautionary X-rays on his shoulder and back.
2007 was one of the warmest Nationals on record with temperatures at race time hitting 22 degrees Celsius.
Coverage
The race was broadcast live on the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
as a Grandstand
Grandstand (BBC)
Grandstand was a British television sport programme. Broadcast between 1958 and 2007, it was one of the BBC's longest running sports shows, alongside BBC Sports Personality of the Year.Its first presenter was Peter Dimmock...
special for the 48th consecutive year. However it was to be the last time the race was broadcast as a Grandstand special, as the programme was discontinued before the following year's race. The televising of the race included cameras inside the first fence and two cameras inside jockey's caps (Jamie Moore on Thisthatandtother and Tom Doyle on Knowhere). The programme was presented by Sue Barker
Sue Barker
Susan Barker, MBE is an English television presenter and former professional tennis player. During her tennis career, she won the women's singles title at the French Open and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3...
and Clare Balding
Clare Balding
Clare Balding is a BBC sports presenter, journalist and jockey.-Early life:In 1989 and 1990, Balding was a leading amateur flat jockey and Champion Lady Rider in 1990....
with summary from John Parrott
John Parrott
John Parrott MBE is an English professional snooker player and TV personality.He won the World Snooker Championship in 1991, defeating Jimmy White in the final. Two years earlier he had lost 3–18 to Steve Davis, the heaviest final defeat in modern times...
, Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman, is a retired jump jockey who rode 470 winners in his career including Lanzarote in the 1974 Champion Hurdle). He also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse twice, the Whitbread Gold Cup once and the Hennessy Gold Cup once....
and Norman Williamson
Norman Williamson
Norman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...
. The race commentary team was Ian Bartlett
Ian Bartlett
Ian Bartlett is a horse racing commentator and occasional analyst for the BBC.. He has also commentated for Channel 4 Racing.For the BBC's television coverage of the Grand National, Bartlett commentates on four sections of the 4½-mile steeplechase, from the 1st to 5th fence, 10th to 12th, 17th to...
, Tony O'Heir, Darren Owen
Darren Owen
Darren Charles Owen is a horse racing commentator, born 3 June 1967 in St. Asaph, North Wales.Having been interested in horse racing since a young age, Owen won the regional final of an amateur sports commentator competition, organised by BBC Radio 2 and sponsored by Fosters Lager, in 1989. He...
and lead commentator Jim McGrath
Jim McGrath (Australian commentator)
Jim Aloysius McGrath is the BBC's senior horse racing commentator. He was previously deputy race commentator, and sometimes a paddock commentator.-Career:...
who called the runners home for the tenth year.
Jockeys
With the retirement of Carl Llewellyn, Tony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Paul Carberry took over as the most experienced riders in the weighing room, each taking their twelfth ride in the National. Fitzgerald had previously won in 19961996 Grand National
The 1996 Grand National was the 149th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 30 March 1996....
and Carberry in 1999
1999 Grand National
The 1999 Grand National was the 152nd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 1999....
but McCoy became the eighth rider to have taken twelve rides without being winner or runner-up.
Eight riders made their Grand National debut, with Tom O'Brien finishing second, Daryl Jacob fourth and Sam Waley-Cohen
Sam Waley-Cohen
Sam Waley-Cohen is an English National Hunt amateur jockey and businessman.-Early life:Waley-Cohen is the son of businessman, racehorse breeder and trainer Robert Waley-Cohen, nephew of the theatre owner and producer Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen Bt...
fifth. Wayne Hutchinson and Philip Carberry's debuts both ended at the first fence, while Denis O'Regan, David Condon and Paul O'Neill also failed to complete the course.