Following the withdrawal of Carlingford Lough, along with several other notable names, The Last Samuri has been pushed up to the top of the weights on his return to the Grand National on Saturday.
As the highest-rated entrant in the field, Carlingford Lough was set to carry the heaviest weight burden into Aintree. However, his withdrawal means Kim Bailey’s charge’s task has been made even more difficult and The Last Samuri will carry 11-10 to post with him on Saturday afternoon.
Despite this weight hike, his trainer is still sweet on The Last Samuri’s chances of improving on the second place finish he recorded last season.
“I’m very happy with him,” Bailey said to the Telegraph when the weight alterations were made public. “At least David Bass [the jockey] won’t have to waste this year. He’s not the biggest but people who have ridden him tell me he’s like Docklands Express [fourth in 1992] – he rides bigger and, if the ground remains pretty good, it will be much easier for him to carry it. Last year he was the focus of everyone’s attention, this year he has been forgotten.”
Along with Carlingford Lough, Alechi Inois, Foxrock, Maggio, The Romford Pele, Sizing Coal, Straidnahanna, Vic’s Canvas and Ziga Boy have all been withdrawn at the latest stage of declarations. This means the likes of Gas Line Boy, Goodtoknow and La Vaticane – the only mare left in the entries – are well placed to take their places in the final 40 and tackle the first fence in the 2017 Grand National on Saturday afternoon.
*Revised Grand National Weights*
11-10 The Last Samuri, 11-06 More Of That, 11-05 Shantou Flyer, Perfect Candidate, Saphir Du Rheu, 11-03 Roi Des Francs, 11-02 Wounded Warrior, Wonderful Charm, 11-01 Tenor Nivernais, Blaklion, Drop Out Joe, 11-00 Bar
