Silver Birch’s victory in the 2007 Randox Aintree Grand National propelled Gordon Elliott into the spotlight; on Saturday, the Irishman is chasing records and redemption in the world’s most famous obstacle course.

Going forward, setting up Tiger Roll to win back-to-back in 2018-19 means Elliott has a fourth national record in sight, joining legendary figures Fred Rimell and Red Rum coach Ginger McCain. If one of its seven riders comes out on top, it will be a breathtaking sporting feat in the space of just a decade and a half.

But on the showcase event of the year, it would also be the most public possible confirmation of its rehabilitation of reputation. Just over a year ago, the work that inspired one of the sport’s most unlikely success stories seemed to count for little as Elliott began a six-month suspension.

The notorious image taken two years before of him sitting on a dead horse had engulfed the races in controversy. That part of that reaction borders on hysteria, considering Elliott guilty of rudeness rather than cruelty, may be clear now, but such a perspective was rare at the time.

The future looked bleak for the former amateur jockey with no racing experience who had scaled the heights and then plumbed the depths of reputation.

The start of an astonishing comeback began in September and has already yielded major racing successes that underscored just how business as usual for Elliott in the sport. However, the biggest race of them all, and the attention that comes with a global audience of 600 million, promises wider validation.

Delta Work leads the Elliott team into the 178th renewal of a run that continues to captivate a wider audience that might normally take a “take it or leave it” policy at the old game.

The horse that proved the ultimate spoilsport at Cheltenham last month when it denied Tiger Roll a perfect swansong in the cross-country will try to emulate its former stablemate in the biggest hunting challenge ever. all.

The Cross-Country reinvigorated Tiger Roll for Aintree’s unique test; if he did the same for Delta Work, he could be a liability given his previous freshman exploits.

Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud team have four more chances, including the much-loved Death Duty, Run Wild Fred who will be partnered with veteran Davy Russell, and the enigma that is Samcro. Counting Rule The 2016 World Cup winner, the Ryanair boss will become the National’s most successful owner if he wins for the fourth time.

People’s moving train

JP McManus also has a handful of chances dominated by last year’s winner Minella Times. The horse that gave Rachael Blackmore a moment for the ages in 2021 carries the heaviest weight this time around and no less than Red Rum in 1974 was the last horse to pull off the task.

Minella Times’ form has been poor so far this season, but the same can hardly be said for its pilot. Blackmore has the opportunity to become the first jockey in 20 years to complete the Cheltenham Gold Cup-Grand National double in the same season.

Given her profile, a grassroots movement in support of the Irishwoman could easily emerge at 5.15pm on Saturday.

Bookmakers were wary of last year’s third Any Second Now as the race approached. Ted Walsh is chasing a second National after Papillon 22 years ago and Any Second Now must be a top contender given how he overcame traffic issues to run so well last year .

The 2021 race saw an unprecedented rout for Irish horses with only sixth-place finisher Blaklion disrupting the home of the top 11 raiders.

Numerically, the Raiders hold an advantage for the first time in national history with 21 of 40 runners, although there is growing confidence behind one home prospect in particular. How gray mare Snow Leopardess rejuvenated her racing career, after having a foal, is one of those heartwarming stories that National seems to specialize in.

Only 13 mares have won the race and the last, Nickel Coin, was in 1951. Snow Leopardess has winning form over the fences and given her history the potential for a huge public bet also exists with her.

For once Willie Mullins isn’t in the spotlight despite his four riders, but another former winner, Martin Brassil, could be a major player again thanks to Longhouse Poet.

Last year’s 150-1 Irish Grand National winner Freehweelin Dylan is also on board, while with better preparation and first-time cheeks last year’s seventh Discorama could be a bet value key.

Gordon Elliott is already a part of Aintree history which includes 28 Irish trained winners of the most famous race of them all. Silver Birch put him on his way. Another success in 2022 could mean the most, however.

1. Delta work.

2. Discorama.

3. Run Wild Fred.

4. Fiddlerontheroof