Welsh Grand National: Silver Birch jumped his way to English Grand National favouritism after landing a massive gamble in the Coral-sponsored Welsh version at a packed Chepstow yesterday.

He is now a top-priced 16 to 1 for the Aintree showpiece after completing 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, who was backed down from a morning 11 to 2 to 100 to 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 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: "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."

Coral go 16 to 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 10th.

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

Heavy traffic between the Severn Bridge and the racecourse almost prevented last year's Welsh National winner, Bindaree, taking part.

But the quick thinking of his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, saved the day.

He instructed jockey Paul Flynn to leave the horsebox, which had only reached the first roundabout off the bridge, and ride Bindaree the remaining two miles to the track.

Bindaree arrived in plenty of time to be saddled up and run a blinder under Carl Llewellyn to finish fifth.

Twiston-Davies said: "When the box came off the motorway it was obvious it would not be able to get to the course in time and so Paul Flynn kindly agreed to ride the horse the remainder of the way.

"I was already there but it took me four hours compared to the usual journey time of an hour and a quarter."

Twiston-Davies was delighted with Bindaree's performance and added: "It was a terrific run and now it's all roads to Aintree for the National with one run before, probably at Haydock."