Birch has National goal

Silver Birch is on target for the John Smith's Grand National after a fine performance at the Cheltenham Festival.

A Welsh National winner when in the care of Paul Nicholls, he is now handled by County Meath trainer Gordon Elliott.

Silver Birch has seemingly been nursed back to his best form and ran a stormer to finish second conceding 12lb to Heads Onthe Ground in the Sporting Index Cross Country Chase.

'He came out of it bouncing, said Elliott.

'We rode him out for the first time this morning and he's grand, he's in great old form and I couldn't be happier. He travelled really well, he jumped brilliant and it was just weight that beat him on the day.

'We were giving the winner 12lb and it just proved too much. All roads now lead to the National, that is the plan. We no jockey plan finalised though as Jason Maguire rode him at Cheltenham but he has just been booked up to ride Idle Talk.'

Silver Birch is a 33-1 chance for Aintree glory.