Saturday’s racing preview

The Last Samuri can go in again

The Grimthorpe Handicap Chase headlines a quality day of horse racing at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. Due at 3.35pm, you can bet on the main event right here at Coral, while all of Saturday’s UK, Irish and foreign action is just a click away. Place your bets now.

We offer up our views on the major talking point, and if you scroll to the bottom of the page you will find a selection in every race at Doncaster, designed to help steer your multiples in the right direction.

Much to like about the jolly

Seven-runners are expected to contest the three-mile two-furlongs trip, and Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red shapes as the early market leader, opening at 11/4. It’s difficult to argue against the traders’ stance there too, with the seven-year-old gelding boasting some impressive recent form.

Winner of a grade three race at Wetherby last time out, the jolly has claimed three of his last four starts, with the spare standing as a place behind Otago Trail and Bristol De Mai at Newcastle. Danny Cook is back in the saddle, a jockey who rode him to victory in the past, and that should be a further source of encouragement for backers.

Defending champion looks the value

The price isn’t anything to get overly excited about however, and I’d much rather have the bigger offer about last year’s winner The Last Samuri, who opened-up at 7/2. Kim Bailey’s hopeful did the business here 12-months ago, beating The Druid’s Nephew into second by a decent margin. He has been hiked up 12lbs in the weights since that effort, but I reckon he has enough about him to deal with it and the handicap should merely make things that bit more interesting this time.

He’s a progressive sort and has another big season ahead. Connections obviously fancy him to get the job done again here, and I see nothing in the field that will cause any real danger. Punters will remember the selection was runner-up in last year’s Grand National, and they will target another crack at that.

There’s plenty of positives that can be taken about The Last Samuri today, and the price is one of them, with traders giving us a chance to back a fantastic horse, with a big year ahead, at a fair offer.

Doncaster Selections

1.50 – Markov

2.25 – San Benedeto

3.00 – Lastbutnotleast

3.35 – The Last Samuri

4.10 – Boagrius

4.45 – Hartside

5.20 – Maria’s Benefit

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