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Silver Birch lands Coral Welsh National
28/12/04
Silver Birch jumped his way to Grand National favouritism after landing a massive nationwide gamble in the Coral-sponsored Welsh version at a packed Chepstow today.

He is now a top-priced 16-1 for the John Smith's-sponsored Aintree showpiece after completing rider, Ruby Walsh's full set of Nationals on a memorable day for the jockey and trainer Paul Nicholls.

The seven-year-old followed up a success over the daunting Liverpool fences in the Becher Chase with a two-length triumph from the front-running Strong Resolve, with a further one and three-quarter lengths back to third home Chives.

Nicholls' L'Aventure ran on for fourth.

Ridden patiently by Walsh, who asked his mount to take closer order at the first in the home straight, Silver Birch jumped to the front three out and was always in command from that point, idling in front but never looking like getting caught.

Nicholls intimated that Silver Birch - backed down from a morning 11-2 to 100-30 at the off - had needed another big win like this to ensure he got into the handicap for Aintree and now the Shepton Mallet trainer has the luxury of being able to take the seven-year-old straight there should he choose.

Nicholls, who won this race as a jockey on Playschool back in 1987, enthused: "That was just the job and now all roads lead to Aintree. I've not had much luck there so far but I really do think this is the horse who could change things for us.

"He's a super jumper, likes going left-handed, and he stays all day, although he doesn't do a tap in front as he showed on the run-in.

"There are one or two others I would consider for the National but this is definitely our number one and the job now is to keep him in one piece which means he may or may not run beforehand.

"If he does run before, I doubt that it would be at Cheltenham."

He said of L'Aventure: "That's just her. She's lost her place and then run on again."

Walsh, asked to compare Silver Birch to his Aintree winner Papillon, said: "Papillon jumped and stayed which are the assets you need for Aintree and Silver Birch has those two qualities in abundance.

"He idled a little bit in front but pinged the last and stuck his head out after travelling and jumping really well throughout the race."

Asked by one wag if he thought he had just jumped off the National winner, Walsh added: "If I knew that we would all be millionaires!"

Strong Resolve endorsed the view that he is a fast-improving stayer and his trainer Lucinda Russell said afterwards: "He was just brilliant - fantastic. I know Peter (Buchanan) was a bit fed up he didn't win but I still think he ran a super race. He did very little wrong, in fact he did nothing wrong, just beaten by a better horse that's all.

"It was a brilliant race and now we'll have to decide whether to go to Aintree or not.

"Before today's race we were thinking about the Becher Chase in the autumn and then the National next season but you've got to take the opportunities where you can and we'll definitely give him an entry this season.

"He's got a tiny cut on the inside of one knee and that's it. He looks fantastic.

"I thought he'd be absolutely bottomed by it but not at all.

"It was another good day at the office."

Coral go 16-1 about him for the National.

The stewards took a dim view of the way Walsh had used his whip on Silver Birch from the second-last fence and found him guilty of improper riding in that he had struck his mount with excessive frequency and in the wrong place.

They suspended him for one day on January 10.

Ladbrokes are the firm offering 16s about Silver Birch for Aintree, while Coral are 14-1 from 20s and totesport the same price from 25s. Strong Resolve is a best-priced 25-1 with Ladbrokes.