The Last Samuri pictured chasing home Rule The World at Aintree last year© Photo Healy Racing
Kim Bailey is praying there is no adverse weather in Doncaster this weekend so The Last Samuri can enjoy his Grand National prep in the BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.
Winner of the race 12 months ago, he then went on to be agonisingly run down close home at Aintree, when second to Rule The World.
This year his task will be harder on Town Moor as he is running off a 12lb higher mark.
"Basically, he needs to run," said Bailey.
"This has been the plan for some time and we'd just like some nice good-to-soft ground, but he'll run whatever.
"I just hope there isn't a snow storm or something stupid like that as he's been trained for this and it fits in nicely."
The Last Samuri will be top weight after 13 entries were revealed.
Looking Well, Definitly Red, Junction Fourteen, Present Man and Yala Enki are possible opponents at this stage.
