The Grand National – Silver By Nature

1961 saw the last winning grey in the National (Nicolaus Silver) and it has been 32 years since the race trophy travelled over the border and into Scotland via the victory or Rubstic. Well that could all change this year on both counts as Silver By Nature, a grey is trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell and figures among the more likely contenders in the Grand National racing betting.

The Russell yard is one of the in-form yards in the country at the moment, the past few weeks have seen plenty of winners emanating from the Russell yard which is situated amongst the rolling Fife hills in what must be one of the most picturesque training locations in the country.

Although the owners or rather one half of the husband and wife partnership who own him are not keen on their boy taking his chance his success in staying handicaps have sent him in the inevitable direction of the 2011 Grand National. With Silver By Nature dominating the Haydock Grand National Trial over the last couple of runnings, winning both versions by 15 lengths each time it became despite his owners (Geoff and Joyce Brown) the obvious place to go with him and he became Aintree bound. The latest win in that race came under the burden of 11st 12lb – a full stone more than he will carry on Saturday, and although he may not get his favoured soft or heavy ground, a faster surface does not rule out a very decent showing from Silver By Nature and anyone looking to bet on Grand National 2011 should remember this.

His jockey – Peter Buchanan – who was successful over the National fences in the 2004 Grand Sefton Chase on Forest Gunner actually thinks he will improve on the surface and that his concentration is much better now, that will prove a valuable commodity in the Grand National.

Despite the owners reservations there is no doubt that this is the right race for Silver By Nature especially for a yard which has already registered 40 winners this campaign despite the weather blighting much of the Northern racing programme throughout the winter. Silver By Nature travels south this week with the yard in-form and looking to break two notably long losing streaks for Scotland and greys – the way events have been playing out for the Russell yard this year it would take a brave man to rule both streaks being broken.