The Last Samuri ready for battle Kim Bailey feels The Last Samuri has what it takes to bridge a 26-year gap by giving him a second taste of success in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree. It was back in 1990 that Bailey saddled Mr Frisk, who galloped round the National course in record time to win the greatest race of them all. That was Bailey's third attempt at the National and since then he has tried many times, but fourth with Docklands Express in 1992 is the closest he has been. This year, he heads to Merseyside with high hopes. "I would say The Last Samuri is probably my best chance since Mr Frisk of winning it again. I'm very happy with him," said the Gloucestershire trainer. "Newcastle was very much a learning curve. We went to Kempton knowing an awful lot more and knowing the track was going to be too tight for him, but we had to go there for the ground and he had to win that race to qualify for the National. "The improvement from there until Doncaster was good and he was very impressive. "The handicapper has been a huge fan of the horse for a long time and has almost overdone it, I think, as a 12lb rise is a huge amount. "He jumps very well and he does stay. We'll hunt him round the first circuit and go from there. "There is a lot of luck involved, but he is a very serious runner with a very good chance."
