b g Anshan - Chatty Actress (Le Bavard (FR))
McKelvey came within three quarters of a length of John Smith's Grand National glory last year when putting in a great performance to just lose out to Silver Birch. His most notable success came in the 2006 Summer National at Uttoxeter, when the ground was on the fast side of good. It was the horse's first attempt at four miles as well and also assured connections that there should be no stamina doubts for Aintree. Starting his racing career in Ireland, trained by Shane Donohoe, his debut victory nevertheless came at Newcastle in February, 2005. The going was bottomless that day and blinkers were applied. After the race, owner Noel Elliott moved the horse from Donohoe to Peter Bowen and the blinkers came off, but the graph continued on an upward curve. Another novice win at Ludlow and a narrow second at Cheltenham preceded an early switch to chasing. With Tony McCoy up, the horse started a warm favourite for his debut and obliged at Sedgefield in May, 2005. His 2004/05 season ended with a narrow defeat, and the following season started with another second. At Wetherby, in December, 2005, came a comprehensive success in the totesport.com Handicap Chase but three weeks later, at the same course, it was a different story, the horse unseating Tom Doyle four out when in the lead. If the wheels didn't exactly come off over the next few outings, they were untypically wobbly. Not until April, 2006, with a second place at Ayr, did McKelvey get back on track. After running sixth in the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree over the National fences in November, 2006, the horse was laid out for the 2007 John Smith's Grand National and a pipe-opener in March at Bangor, which he won, was his only race before his fine second. This season he reappeared at Doncaster on March 1, when eighth in a handicap hurdle, and he was well-beaten again over the smaller obstacles at Newcastle a fortnight later.
Race Record: Starts: 22; 1st: 6; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £247,762
| 
AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL 2008
