All roads lead to National as Vic Venturi gives Hughes follow-up win.

Result Totesport.com Becher Chase 1 Vic Venturi ..................7-1 2 Keenan's Future ..........5-1 3 Royal Rosa ..................6-1 Owner Seamus Dunne Trainer Dessie Hughes Jockey Paddy Flood Groom Ian Carter Breeder Mrs P & C Brabazon Distances 5l, 21/2l RARELY can a race over the Grand National fences have been less like the real thing - but that does not mean it will not prove the most significant guide to the big one next April.

Come the John Smith's Grand National in the spring there will be all the hurlyburly of 40 chasers jostling for position from the off, while the Totesport.com Becher Chase has never attracted a smaller field than the eight who went to post yesterday - and two of those, ironically the course veterans Irish Raptor and Idle Talk, went at the second fence.

Yet while his ability to handle a massive field round Aintree has to be taken on trust, there is no doubting that yesterday's top weight Vic Venturi is a chaser with plenty of ability, as he was conceding between 6lb and 26lb to the other five runners but emerged a ready winner, leading early on the long run-in for a five-length victory under Paddy Flood.

Such a performance in a race won by National heroes Amberleigh House and Silver Birch in recent years impressed the bookmakers, with Totesport and Boylesports making the winner clear favourite for the National at 16-1. And it delighted trainer Dessie Hughes, who said: "It was a good performance to give that weight. I'm very pleased with him.

"He stays and Paddy was very good on him; he gave him a chance when he needed a chance. He jumped well, he landed very well and he wasn't pitching over them.

"There is one target with him now. He's entitled to come back for it, isn't he? I'm sure he'll run in the Bobbyjo Chase after the [National] weights come out and he'll probably run over hurdles after Christmas. He goes on any ground."

Kilkenny-based owner Seamus Dunne, who is in the electrical wholesale business, was enjoying his first winner in Britain, and said: "We're absolutely delighted with him. The way he ran and jumped, you'd like to come back here for the Grand National."

Hughes, who is also preparing last year's Becher Chase winner Black Apalachi for the National, added: "He's fabulous. He's not long in - he was late coming in because we have only one race in mind for him as well. It's hard to find a horse for the National and we may have two of them now."

Ian Williams admitted it may be tough for runner-up Keenan's Future to get into the National.

"He would make a lovely National horse," the trainer said. "It's a question of whether he's quite good enough. He'll go up a few pounds for this run, and then we have to get him up another 7lb or 8lb. Whether that is feasible or not, I don't know. We'll try very hard, as he's loved it out there today."

Royal Rosa kept on for third under last year's winning rider Denis O'Regan, who said: "We had a great run and he jumped superb."

'He dropped back to last of the five still standing three from home, but was soon back in contention and stayed on best on the long run-in' Big-race analysis Page ??

CAPTION(S):

Flying leap: Vic Venturi and Paddy Flood take the water jump before recording an impressive victory