1st March 2019

Good Evening ,

Newbury stages two of the very popular veteran’s chases on Saturday and one of the potential winners is the horse that finished second in the 2016 Grand National. The Last Samuri led on the run-in but was collared by Rule The World who became the first horse owned by Gigginstown Stud to win the National. That race was as good as it got for the runner-up who is scheduled to run again at Aintree in April in the most famous steeplechase in the world. There is the Cheltenham Festival before the National and the greatest meeting in the world starts a week on Tuesday.

Bookmakers are offering odds on the leading trainer and leading jockey and the Prestbury Cup is contested by horses trained in Britain and Ireland. Home based trainers had most winners in the first two years of the concept but the Irish stables came out on top in 2017 and last year. The dominance of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott in Ireland means they are bringing a strong team. Their combined monopoly on the best horses in Ireland should be enough for Ireland to win the Prestbury Cup.

Nicky Henderson has some great chances and is the second favourite to be the top trainer behind Elliott. However, Paul Nicholls reports he is sending his strongest team for a number of years and could upset the apple cart. Clan Des Obeaux could start the Gold Cup as the favourite and Frodon would have a great chance in the Ryanair Chase if that was the target. The Irish and Henderson will be tough to beat but at the latest odds Nicholls is worth a small investment. Harry Cobden has some of the plum rides for the stable so must be considered in the leading jockey market.

Tiger Roll has won at the last three Festivals and won the Grand National last year. The horse is the favourite for the cross country race he won a year ago. The race is worth winning in its own right but Tiger Roll should again be spot on for the National. He could become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974 to win the race in two consecutive years. Weight could be an issue but Tiger Roll is proven over the unique course and fences and distance so could win another National. The Last Samuri has contested the race four times and has a decent weight this time.

The Greatwood Veteran’s Handicap Chase over three miles and two furlongs is the target for The Last Samuri at Newbury on Saturday. The horse is now aged 11 but ran well in defeat at Taunton in January behind Royal Vacation. The former Grade 1 winner Tea For Two was pulled up after never traveling from the start of the race. The race distance was over three miles and four furlongs and The Last Samuri stayed on but the winner was stronger on the run-in and won the race by six lengths.

Vicente was a further three and three quarter lengths adrift in third place and that horse has won two Scottish Grand Nationals. The Last Samuri can beat his fellow veterans on Saturday and has place claims in another National especially if there are extra places for each way betting. The usual terms are one quarter the odds for four places but if a bookmaker goes down to six places The Last Samuri would be a good each way bet given a decent effort against other veterans on Saturday.

Best Wishes,

BetFan