National hero Birch retired Silver Birch, winner of the 2007 John Smith's Grand National, has been retired following his run at Aintree last week. The 13-year-old bowed out after completing the course in 12th place in the John Smith's Topham Chase on Friday after only being a reserve for the big race itself. Connections feel it is the right time to call time on his career and the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding will spend his days at owner Brian Walsh's Rheindross Stud in Kilcock, County Kildare. "He's been great. He's won a Grand National for me and I hope he has a happy retirement now," said County Meath-based Elliott. "We won't forget the day he won the National for a while. He's been a great horse winning a Grand National and also second at the Cheltenham Festival." Walsh bought Silver Birch for £20,000 at the Doncaster Sales in May 2006 after he suffered an injury in the Grand National the previous month. Up to that point he had been trained by Paul Nicholls, winning the Becher Chase and the Welsh National in 2004. Silver Birch won seven of his 29 starts under rules and more than £500,000 in prize money.
