The Last Samuri can cut down rivals

The Last Samuri can give trainer Kim Bailey a second success in the Aintree Grand National, 26 years after Mr Frisk set a course record with an emphatic display.

The selection, a lightly raced eight-year-old, was formerly in the care of Donald McCain but has been rapidly progressive in three runs for his new stable, and there’s no reason to believe he has reached the peak of his powers.

On his first start for Bailey, he finished third in a handicap at Newcastle, but improved considerably upon that when winning a three-mile chase at Kempton in late December.