Next Sensation can retain Grand Annual crown

David Metcalf | March 16, 2016

Next Sensation weighted to score again in Grand Annual

Next Sensation has a good record in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to further enhance it with victory in the 2m contest that brings the curtain down on the 2016 Cheltenham Festival (17:30).

The Michael Scudamore trained nine-year-old ran a stormer to finish fourth in 2014 when ridden far too aggressively and only weakening close home to be beaten just 1 3/4 length by Savello.

Next Sensation then failed to fire in his next five starts before bouncing back to form with a vengeance to land last year’s renewal in terrific style.

The nine-year-old was given superb front running ride by Tom Scudamore, and stayed on strongly after the last to beat Eastlake by four lengths off a mark of 143.

Given a chance by the handicapper

Next Sensation got put up to 153 for that success, and has failed to trouble the judge in four starts this season.

However, that has resulted in the handicapper cutting him plenty of slack and the son of Brian Boru is now able to race off just 1lb higher than when landing the spoils 12 months ago.

It gives Next Sensation major claims at the weights of gaining a repeat success, and anorther plus is that Next Sensation now gets the good ground that he relishes.