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Silver Birch held off Just In Debt to win the Becher Handicap Chase in the hands of Ruby Walsh.

The seven-year-old was always in the lead group and took up the running at Aintree when Ardent Scout unseated his rider at the ninth of the 22 fences.

The 4-1 favourite was challenged strongly by 33-1 shot Just In Debt in the run-in but won by a length, drawing praise from trainer Paul Nicholls.

"This horse loves soft ground and will just gallop all day long.

"If we are serious about coming back for the Grand National, I'd think he would want just one more run about three weeks before the big race."

Walsh added: "He jumps like a stag - when we got to the elbow I still had something to pick up and he stuck his neck out all the way to the line.

I don't need to tell you that this is a very good Liverpool horse Ginger McCain on Amberleigh House

Smarty (12-1) was third 13 lengths away with Double Honour fourth.

And last season's Grand National winner Amberleigh House finished outside the places in fifth, under top weight.

Despite the defeat, trainer Ginger McCain was happy with the performance of Amberleigh on unsuitable ground.

"Jockey Graham Lee said it was not the weight, it was the ground that beat him.

"I don't need to tell you that this is a very good Liverpool horse and he never made a semblance of a mistake. Graham gave him a superb ride. I am very satisfied."

Becher Handicap Chase