Bailey is so frisky over Samuri bid

KIM BAILEY thinks he has a realistic chance of winning a second Grand National, 26 years after he saddled Mr Frisk to win in 1990.

The genial Cotswold trainer runs The Last Samuri, who has won or finished second in 10 of his 13 races and never fallen.

“I’m really happy with him,” said Bailey. “He prefers ground on the good side of soft, and it is rarely heavy on the National course.

“He might be carrying Paul and Clare Rooney’s second colours, though, as I understand Jason [ Maguire, their racing manager] is at least as keen on their horse with Philip Hobbs, Kruzhlinin.”

Last year’s Crabbie’s Grand National winner Many Clouds tops the weights for this year’s race on April 9, with Leighton Aspell looking for a record- breaking third successive win.

Twelve months ago, there were four 20- 1 co- favourites when the weights were announced, but bookies feel Many Clouds is a bit special. The nine- year- old is 12- 1 with Hills, half the price of the next horses in the betting. “Many Clouds has many of the attributes you would associate with Red Rum,” said Hills’ Jon Ivan- Duke. “He stays, he jumps well and he’s courageous. He deserves to be favourite and Leighton’s record over the National fences is second to none.” Don’t jump in too soon, though, as no horse allocated top weight at this stage has won in recent years, and only one has been placed.

Betfred’s odds: 12 Many Clouds, 25 Goonyella, Carlingford Lough, Don Poli, Shutthefrontdoor, The Druids Nephew, Silviniaco Conti, 33 others.