Gordon Elliott: Our solid team for this year’s Grand National – and why this horse is my top choice

It’s hard to fathom how it could possibly be 17 years ago, as I can remember the whole occasion like it was yesterday. Time flies and 2007 is a long time ago. I had no expectations at all that day. A few lads I knew from home were involved with Dun Doire, who Tony Martin trained, and I jumped on their bandwagon and went along for the ride.

I thought I might be celebrating with them afterwards. Little did I think I’d be celebrating myself. It was surreal, really. It was different with Tiger Roll.

By the time he came along, expectations were higher and we knew he had a big chance the first year he won. The second time, that was as satisfying a result as I can remember. To get him back there in one piece and get him to do it all again was magic. It meant a lot.