Our expert brings you some insider tips for the Grand National on Saturday afternoon.
The Last Samuri was beaten 14 lengths by Definitly Red in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster and is no better off at the weights. But another tilt at this, in which he finished a gallant second last year, has always been the long-term aim, though he is 12lb higher. Vieux Lion Rouge won the Becher Chase here in December but only three lengths covered the first five home and all take their chance today.
Highland Lodge won the Becher in 2015, The Last Samuri was third and Ucello Conti was fourth. Fifth-placed One For Arthur later beat Goodtoknow in the Classic Chase at Warwick and has stamina in abundance, while Vieux Lion Rouge overturned Blaklion in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, though the latter is now better off at the weights. He’s one with a touch of class along with Gold Cup fifth and sixth Saphir Du Rheu and More Of That, who could figure if lasting home. Tenor Nivernais is a bold-jumping front-runner and he’s ridden by Liam Treadwell, who rode Mon Mome to victory at 100/1 in 2009.
THE YOUNG MASTER heads the short-list as he was more like his old self at Cheltenham last month and is only 2lb higher than when landing the bet365 Gold Cup over 3m5f at Sandown a year ago – Sam Waley-Cohen rides these fences as well as anyone. Irish trainers have been up in arms over their treatment by the handicapper but connections of former Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere can’t complain over a mark of 147 and three-times Cheltenham Festival winner Cause Of Causes was eighth in 2015 when only a seven-year-old. Thunder And Roses beat last year’s winner Rule The World in the 2015 Irish National and is a thorough stayer but didn’t handle the big obstacles very well when pulled up on a previous visit.
