A surreal Saturday when a remarkable journey began in earnest

Aintree is all about the three Bs – booze, betting and banter. But in 2007, B was for breakthrough for one baby-faced 29-year-old. That isn't to say he didn't enjoy the booze or the banter. Indeed, the first half of that surreal Saturday was spent revelling with the rivals.

"A few pals of mine owned Dun Doire who was well fancied and they thought he might win it," recalls Gordon Elliott ten years on from the famous triumph. "He had won at Cheltenham the season before and had been trained for the race. I was bringing over a 33-1 outsider and was just thrilled to have a runner in the race. I was only there for the craic to be honest.

"I started drinking with the Dun Doire lads and sure we drank a good few glasses of champagne before the race. I was there to cheer them on and I was hoping Dun Doire would win for them."