HAVING already created one piece of history at Haydock Park on Saturday, Silver By Nature is eyeing more in the John Smith’s Grand National.

Lucinda Russell’s nine-year-old became the first horse to win back-to-back runnings of the totesport.com Grand National Trial on Merseyside at the weekend.

He defied top weight to land the 3m4f Grade Three feature by an excellent 15 lengths in testing conditions and now looks firmly on course for a crack at the Aintree marathon on April 9.

Russell had stated the grey gelding would most likely head to the National providing he returned to form at Haydock, which he did in spectacular fashion under Peter Buchanan.

Many bookmakers reacted to the success by making Silver By Nature the joint 14-1 favourite for the Aintree showpiece with Coral currently a best-priced 20-1 about his chances.

Kinross trainer Russell will not make a definite decision over her charge’s participation in the world’s greatest steeplechase until she speaks with owner Geoff Brown later on this week. But despite the owner’s wife’s reservations it looks certain Silver By Nature will head to Aintree.

Although he will have to defy the stats again when he returns to Merseyside in just under seven week’s time. No grey has won the National for 50 years since Nicolaus Silver in 1961 while there has only been Scottish-based winner, Rubstic in 1979.

But with just 10st12lb to carry at Aintree, his trainer is hopeful he has the ability to repeat his Haydock success in the National, providing he gets his conditions.

Russell said yesterday: “He’s got a couple of cuts, but apart from that he’s absolutely fine and Geoff Brown (owner) plans to speak to his wife and make a decision about whether he definitely runs in the National, but I think he’s going to be prepared for the race.

“He’s an amazing horse. Every horse has its ups and downs, but I thought he was much more for it than he was for the Welsh National.

“Some time this week we will sit down and have a definite answer, but I would say in the balance of probability, he will be running.

“They don’t tend to get very firm ground at Aintree. He’s got 10st 12lb which is ideal.

“I would say he will go up about 8lb or 10lb for his run so he’s well in and the National is the race for him.”

“This horse does like the heavy ground and I would prefer to go to Aintree because it is less likely to be heavy at Ayr.”

Runner-up Nicto de Beauchene and third home Le Beau Bai are both also likely to have a crack at the National, providing they get into the race.

The former has 10st3lb, while latter was allocated 10st1lb, so both will need several to drop out if they are to get a run.

Bensalem will still head to Cheltenham despite his defeat by Cross Kennon over hurdles earlier on Saturday’s card at Haydock.

Bensalem was sent off the 7-4 favourite for the Grade Two totescoop6 Rendlesham Hurdle, but was beaten by six lengths by the Jennie Cavendish-trained seven-year-old.

King said he was reasonably happy with that effort and the eight-year-old is set to revert back to fences in the Festival Handicap Chase, a race he fell in two out in 2010 when holding every chance.

The Barbury Castle handler said: “He got outstayed at Haydock. I think that second run back will just put him right and he’d be pretty certain to go for the three-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham.”

TODAY’S NAP: Gordy Bee (6pm Wolverhampton).