BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 39.6s

The Last Samuri⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 161

10/3

12lb higher than when winning this by an eased-down 10L last season and runner-up in the Grand National, which is once again his target. Ran well from a 2lb lower mark in the Becher Chase when last seen in December and should give a good account.

Form: 2/3112-5

Wakanda¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 150

10/1

Capable performer from this sort of mark, having won a Listed handicap chase from 151 last season. Beaten 7L by Definitely Red in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day and now has a 7lb pull for that, although Danny Cook prefers to side with that rival.

Form: 11PP-75

Definitly Red⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 149

7/2

Same pilot on board here who was present when he won at Ayr in the spring and Carlisle in October. Has largely been staying ahead of the handicapper and even 8lb higher than when winning at Wetherby two starts ago, he may not be done with success. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 22F1-13

Vivaldi Collonges^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148

14/1

5lb higher then when taking a good novices' handicap chase at Ayr in the spring, though has thus far been unable to build on that in two starts this season. Can't rule out a return to form from 4lb lower, though would like to have seen a bit more coming into a race like this.

Form: 11/3PPP-

Yala Enki⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147

7/2

Gave Definitely Red 5lb and suffered an 18L beating in the Rowland Meyrick and now has a 12lb pull with that opponent. Even so, he remains 8lb higher than when winning well at Haydock (2m7f, soft) prior to that and he is going to need to up his game today.

Form: 5-31441

Sego Success^v1⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 138

6/1

Not won in six races since doing so here in December 2015 (3m, soft) from a 1lb higher mark. Fourth in this last year from 8lb higher. Has run well in headgear before, although blinkers did not do the trick last time. Nonetheless, he is weighted to return to form.

Form: 634P5F-

Looking Well⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: R D Day⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 137

9/2

Tends to go best when there is good in the going description, including when last winning at Kelso in May (3m2f, good to firm). Seen only once since, when 3½L runner-up to Ziga Boy here over 3m in the Sky Bet Chase in January. Up 5lb for that, but get in here with a feather weight and looks capable of big run.

Form: 942F-21

Forecasts

The Last Samuri (10/3), Definitly Red (7/2), Yala Enki (7/2), Looking Well (9/2), Sego Success (6/1), Wakanda (10/1), Vivaldi Collonges (14/1)

Looking Well is a very interesting contender who has been patiently handled by Nicky Richards and he should be thereabouts, though SEGO SUCCESS is given the vote. A drop in the weights has given him his first chance of victory for some time and he goes well here. Definitely Red is still on the rise and should be heavily involved, while The Last Samurai is very much respected.