Samuri set for Becher battle
Kim Bailey's eight-year-old finished second in the Grand National last season and his experience over the fences could be crucial
GRAND NATIONAL runner-up The Last Samuri heads a field of 24 runners in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday.
Kim Bailey's chaser was beaten six lengths by Rule The World in the main event last year and having finished fifth in a Down Royal Grade One on his seasonal return, The Last Samuri returns to the National fences this time.
Last year's winner Highland Lodge defends his title for Jimmy Moffatt, with Henry Brooke taking the ride again after completing his comeback from injury with a ride at Catterick on Wednesday.
Gordon Elliott's Ucello Conti finished sixth in the Grand National and has topped the Becher ante-post market, while Alvarado is another who is already familiar with the Aintree fences, having claimed fourth in the 2015 National for Fergal O'Brien.
Mouse Morris runs the 2016 Irish National victor Rogue Angel, with Jim Dreaper's Sizing Coal, Portrait King from Patrick Griffin's yard and the Eric McNamara-trained Dare To Endeavour making up a strong Irish raiding party.
Colin Tizzard has found a rich vein of form in Saturday races and recent Cheltenham winner Viconte Du Noyer will try to extend the teams winning run on his first attempt over the National fences.
Last year's bet365 Gold Cup winner The Young Master is another notable contender for Neil Mulholland, while Alan King has two contenders in Ziga Boy and Midnight Prayer.
