Ratings Update: Samuri tops National ratings after Grimthorpe win

Unsurprisingly for a weekend lying so close to the Cheltenham Festival, there is relatively little to report in regard to Festival hopefuls from this weekend’s action, which was mainly focused around Greatwood day at Newbury and Grimthorpe day at Doncaster.

The Greatwood’s proximity to Cheltenham does it no favours in terms of depth, which is something that Paul Nicholls has clearly picked up on, and with his large stable allowing him to have a broader focus than some other yards, he continued his excellent record in the race, sending out Sametegal to give him an eighth win since 2008. Sametegal’s four-length win at Newbury will potentially set him up for a crack at the Festival Plate under a 5 lb penalty, and, remaining unexposed as a chaser and feasibly treated based on his hurdles form (finished eighth in the 2014 Coral Cup from 2 lb higher) he would go there with a chance on the back of his best chasing effort to date, now Timeform-rated 147 over fences.

The Greatwood also signified the return of Shutthefrontdoor to the larger obstacles for the first time since he was seen finishing fifth in last year’s Grand National. He turned in a moody effort at Newbury, however, which raises questions about his prospects for this year’s race, though of course a return to further will definitely suit him better.

The biggest National-based news of the weekend is that after winning the Grimthorpe, The Last Samuri now tops our weight-adjusted ratings for the race. It was disappointing that only six turned out for such a valuable prize on Saturday, but it was hard not to be impressed by the style of The Last Samuri’s 10-length win, and as a sound jumper who looks sure to relish the extra distance at Aintree, he looks as though he will have a major role to play come April, now Timeform-rated 158p, he nudges ahead of Silvinaco Conti on adjusted ratings for the National by 1 lb.

Unfortunately due to adverse weather conditions, we did not see current National favourite Many Clouds in action at Kelso on Saturday. However, there were more Aintree clues on offer on Sunday courtesy of the Leinster National at Naas, which saw the likes of Goonyella and Gallant Oscar – both prominent in the betting for the Grand National – in action for the first time since the weights were revealed. Although Goonyella finished ahead of Galant Oscar on Sunday, we think it is the J.P McManus-owned contender who warrants more interest with the Grand National in mind, considering Goonyella has hardly set the world alight in the last two renewals of the Beecher Chase. Gallant Oscar – still lightly-raced for a 10-year-old – travelled into the race smoothly on Sunday and was not given a hard time when finishing fifth. This should put him spot on for Aintree and with further improvement to come given his profile, he warrants plenty of respect.

Lingfield’s listed Spring Cup Stakes – the highlight of the winter season for three-year-olds before the introduction of the Mile Championship race on Good Friday – was a messy affair where several, including the well-backed Abe Lincoln, had their chances compromised. Despite the nature of the race, it was run at a sound pace, and there was no knocking the performance of the winner, Haalick, who quickened clear well on his all-weather debut. He looks the type to carry on improving, and is now Timeform-rated 105p, looking the leading home contender for the three-year-old mile contest on Good Friday.

Crabbie’s Grand National 2016

Updated Provisional Timeform Weight-Adjusted Ratings

THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) 185p

SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 184

ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 182§

CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 182

BISHOPS ROAD (IRE) 182

DON POLI (IRE)181p

LE REVE (IRE) 181

SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 181

DOUBLE SEVEN (IRE) 180

HOLYWELL (IRE) 180

MANY CLOUDS (IRE) 180

BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) 180

GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) 179p

BLACK THUNDER (FR) 179?

SAINT ARE (FR) 178