Silver By Nature: 6-1 joint-favourite for Saturday's race

  PICTURE: John Grossick  

Improving Silver ready for Haydock challenge

SILVER BY NATURE, runner-up in the Coral Welsh National on his latest start, bids to go one better in Saturday's Blue Square Gold Cup Chase at Haydock.

The Lucinda Russell-trained eight-year-old finished like a train at Chepstow, going down by three-quarters of a length behind Dream Alliance, and regular rider Peter Buchanan believes the sponsors 6-1 joint-favourite has improved since that race.

Russell put the finishing touches to his preparation on Friday, after which she told her website: "Silver By Nature had his final canter and popped over a few fences before his tilt at the Haydock Gold Cup on Saturday.

"He seems in good form with himself and Peter Buchanan feels that he may have improved a little since his run in the Welsh National. Silver By Nature left for Haydock this afternoon and all we need now is some milder weather."