Nicholls mystified by Birch running

Paul Nicholls remains perplexed by the poor form shown by Silver Birch after his John Smith’s Grand National hope was pulled up for the second time in as many starts.

The 2004 Coral Welsh National winner returned from injury when running a race full of promise to finish fourth over hurdles at Warwick four weeks ago.

However, the nine-year-old disappointed over fences at Wincanton last weekend and again showed nothing when pulled up in the David Dent Handicap Hurdle, when sporting first-time blinkers, at Chepstow yesterday.

“He was no different to last week and I have no explanation really,” Nicholls told Teletext. “He has come back fine again and the blinkers had no effect.

“There is obviously something wrong somewhere but I can’t put my finger on it.

“I had him checked over by the vet afterwards and he was scoped and everything was fine.

“It was strange the way he almost just stopped in the race and he was almost a bit leg weary afterwards, which suggested he might have a breathing problem.

“The odd thing is though, if he had a breathing problem it would have shown on his first run. But he jumped with enthusiasm and travelled brilliantly that day and then yesterday he didn’t travel well or jump well.

“There is nothing obvious showing but we will have to do some more tests on him and try and find what is wrong.”

Silver Birch has been pushed out to a general 25-1 for the National, and Nicholls added: “I’m keeping an open mind about the National at the moment.

“If we could find out what is wrong and put it right then we could still go the National but we need to know why he is running like he is.

“There would be no point in running him if he was going to run the way he has ran the last twice.”