Sego looks primed for Donny success

Grand national runner-up the last Samuri romped home in the Grimthorpe Chase at doncaster last year, but the Kim Bailey-trained chaser will have to produce a career best to repeat that success this afternoon.

a second bid for the national has been the priority all season for the mount of david Bass and he showed his ability again to perform well over the unique aintree fences when third to Vieux lion rouge in the Becher Chase last december.

But the handicapper has hit him hard. the last Samuri may only have six more pounds on his back compared to this day last year — up to 11st 12lb — but his official handicap mark has risen 12lb.

the ground at doncaster is expected to be testing for the threemile, two-furlong chase, so the last Samuri has his work cut out conceding weight to rivals.

acknowledging the scale of the job, Bailey said: ‘there are very few horses as tough as him, but he’s only a small horse, so to carry lumps of weight is not ideal.’ definitly red, Wakanda and Yala Enki all carry a threat despite the first two blowing out last time behind Gold Cup outsider Bristol de Mai at Haydock.

looking Well finished with a flourish here over a slightly shorter distance behind Ziga Boy in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase last month.

But there is a case for chancing visored-first-time SEGO SUCCESS (doncaster, 3.35). the gelding, trained by alan King, finished fourth in the Grimthorpe, almost 17 lengths behind the last Samuri and reopposes on 22lb better terms.

a poor run at Warwick last time must be forgiven but tom Cannon-ridden Sego Success reserves his best form for this track.