DONCASTER

FOR Kim Bailey, the road back to the top has been long and hard. However, the popular trainer, with a Grand National, a Cheltenham Gold Cup and a Champion Hurdle to his credit in the golden 1990s, is well on the way now.

Last Saturday at Doncaster, The Last Samuri, comfortable winner of the Betbright Grimthorpe Chase, looked every inch a possible Aintree hero and now disputes favouritism for the famous old marathon. Allotted 10st 8lb when the weights were published a couple of weeks ago, the eight-year-old has gone up 12 lbs for this win and looks rather well in following his 10-lengths’ victory over The Druids Nephew on Town Moor.

Bailey’s gradual recovery is very good news indeed for jockey David Bass, whose modest strike-rate has generally revolved around Nicky Henderson’s lesser lights but who is now in demand elsewhere and completed a superb hat-trick.

Drop Out Joe made much of the early running but was headed by Sego Success at the 14th. He lasted until three out, where 2/1 favourite The Last Samuri, having jumped soundly, made his move and kicked for home.

He was never in any danger, although The Druids Nephew, keeping on steadily under 11st 12lb, was far from disgraced. He was conceding the winner 6lb, which is also the margin between them at Aintree.

The ground dries quickly at Doncaster, though it was still soft on this occasion. The Last Samuri handled it well but would not be inconvenienced by quicker ground. This was only his third outing of the campaign since joining Bailey from Donald McCain and a distance of ground clearly suits him, as he showed over this three and a quarter miles.

Owners Paul and Clare Rooney moved around 50 horses from McCain’s stable and it is highly unlikely that a full explanation will be forthcoming. McCain is sending out winners again but it was a mighty blow and watching at Aintree will not be easy for him, although the feeling between jumps trainers is such that he will no doubt manage it all right. For his part, Bailey was understandably thrilled with Saturday’s performance.

“He was trained for that race and it gives us time to get over it,” he said. “He’s getting me excited. He’s not very big but is a very clever jumper and very agile. He stays and good, good to soft ground will be fine.”

If things went well for Bailey, the return of the wet weather did his good friend Oliver Sherwood no favours. Kelso had to be called off, which cost last year’s National hero Many Clouds his intended prep outing. However, the meeting has been rescheduled to this Sunday and the Grand National winner will make the journey north again for his Grand National prep.

Sherwood was happy enough to miss the Gold Cup this time with there are only three weeks between the two festivals this time as opposed to four in 2015.

The Last Samuri joined Many Clouds and Silviniaco Conti on 12/1 in some lists. The bookmakers were also inclined to trim The Druids Nephew, who slipped badly on landing five out last year, and Betway are biggest on 18/1.