THE 2004 Coral Welsh National winner Silver Birch is set to return to the scene of his greatest triumph on Saturday.

The hero of Chepstow 14 months ago is being prepared for a tilt at this year's Grand National.

But, after a disappointing re-appearance over fences last weekend, trainer Paul Nicholls has decided that a spin over hurdles at the racecourse where he enjoyed his best day's racing is in order.

Bookmakers pushed out his price for Aintree for which he was a leading contender after his poor showing so, if it was simply a one-off, he could be an attractive price at 20-1. His trainer could find no explanation for his below-par run.

Silver Birch is set to be in action in the David Dent Handicap Hurdle race. The Grand National is under a different kind of focus too on Saturday at Chepstow Racecourse.

For the horse that wrote himself into the history books by becoming the first to win the Grand Nationals of England, Scotland and Wales is being honoured.

Earth Summit won the Coral Welsh National and the Aintree Grand National in the same racing season eight years ago.

The horse which became a regular visitor to Chepstow - running here seven times in his career - passed away 11 months ago at the age of 17. The £10,000 Earth Summit "National Hero" Steeplechase is the third race on Saturday for which Newport trainer Craig Roberts' Chepstow regular Victory Gunner - which coincidentally won at the racecourse on the same day at Silver Birch won the Welsh National - leads the field.

The next racing at Chepstow Racecourse is on Saturday, February 25, when the first race is scheduled for 2.05pm.