The Last Samuri heads Becher weights at Aintree on December 9
The Last Samuri, runner-up in the 2016 Grand National, is set to return to Aintree for the Randox Health Becher Chase at Aintree on December 9.
The Kim Bailey-trained nine-year-old will have to defy top weight of 11st 12lb if he is to improve on his third place in the Becher last season.
But Bailey was encouraged by the horse's effort when finishing second on his seasonal debut over hurdles at Kempton recently.
"The Last Samuri is in good form and on course for the Becher Chase," said the Gloucestershire handler.
"It was a good run at Kempton and, provided he is in the same sort of form as he is now in two weeks' time, he should have a very good chance.
"We will get the Becher Chase out the way first before deciding where we go for the rest of the season."
The first two home from 12 months ago, Vieux Lion Rouge (11-5) and Highland Lodge (10-5), could again be in opposition along with the likes of Grand National fourth Blaklion and Scottish National victor Vicente.
Featuring in 12 Irish-trained entries are last week's Clonmel Oil Chase winner Alpha Des Obeaux (11-7) and Rogue Angel (10-2), both trained by Mouse Morris, together with the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Mala Beach (11-2) and Ucello Conti (10-3).
