Samuri Back For More

James Stevens talks to Kim Bailey about his great Grand National hope.

- James Stevens

Kim Bailey is a man determined to put things right. Last season The Last Samuri finished second in the Grand National and Bailey is optimistic this is the year he can go one better.

The nine-year-old has enjoyed a good campaign in pursuit of Aintree glory. In the blue and yellow colours of Paul and Clare Rooney he kicked off the season by posting a decent effort when fifth in Down Royal’s Grade One Champion Chase.

That was always a tough ask on a seasonal bow, and Bailey returned to Liverpool to see him finish a length off in third when carrying top weight in a competitive renewal of the Becher Chase.

He went back to Doncaster for his prep for the world’s most famous steeplechase in the Grimthorpe Chase. Last season he ran out an exciting 10-length winner of the 3m2f contest, however this season Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red was victorious by 14 lengths.

“He’s actually taken the Doncaster race remarkably well,” said Bailey. “Some horses take a while to come back, but he came through it.”