Rely on a big run from Silver Birch

Welsh Grand National: Expect the Paul Nicholls-trained Silver Birch to run a huge race in the £100,000 Coral Welsh National today if the holiday card at Chepstow beats the freeze following a precautionary 7.30 inspection this morning.

Representing a big stable, lightly raced over fences, a thorough stayer and a sound jumper, the seven-year-old has all the right credentials.

Silver Birch, who also likes a bit of give underfoot, put himself firmly in the picture for this with victory over the daunting National fences at Aintree last month.

In front in the Becher Chase with a circuit to travel, he found plenty after the last on the famous Liverpool run-in to repel Just In Debt by a length at the end of three and a half miles on soft ground.

Fourth in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in March over four miles - a race in which Celestial Gold, one of the undoubted stars of this season so far, was second - he was probably feeling the effects when pulled up at Ayr's Scottish National meeting.

However, that remains the only time he has been out of the first four over hurdles or fences and at his age there is almost certain to be more to come off a handy-looking weight.

Lucinda Russell has high hopes for Strong Resolve who looks a big danger.

The eight-year-old is prominent in the betting at around 7 to 1 thanks to convincing victories at Ayr and Wetherby last month, and the Kinross trainer is hopeful of a good run.

Tom George is also looking forward to running Be My Royal and the former Willie Mullins-trained gelding gelding had an encouraging prep run over hurdles at Chepstow last month in what was his first race since he was first past the post in the 2002 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

Given that Silver Birch has outstanding claims, it must say a lot for the prospects of Cerium in the At The Races Red Button Betting Finale Juvenile Hurdle that the Ditcheat handler reckons the three-year-old is his best chance of the day.

The ex-French three-year-old has made a big impression in his two starts for his current yard, jumping and travelling well to trot up at Kempton in October before readily accounting for subsequent winner Phar Bleu, who reopposes, in Grade Two company at Cheltenham in November.

He is another who is suited by plenty of give.

Cordilla can make the journey down from Nicky Richards' Cumbrian base pay a handsome dividend with victory in the Pontin's Themed Breaks Beginners' Chase.

Three times a winner over hurdles, the six-year-old was making steady headway from off the pace when he stumbled and unseated Brian Harding with four to jump on his chasing debut at Bangor earlier this month.

But with that experience under his belt and most of his best form having come on testing ground, compensation awaits.