PAUL NICHOLLS tackles Aintree’s Grand National Festival confident of banging in a few winners.
The 13-time champion trainer enjoyed a fantastic Cheltenham and is back on Merseyside hunting more riches.
Nicholls is bringing a mightily impressive squad to Aintree in the hope of winners
Betfair ambassador Nicholls previews all his day one and two runners below.
Day one – Thursday
13:45 – Stage Star
I was blown away by the way he won the Turners at Cheltenham with a finely judged ride by Harry Cobden.
He has plenty of boot, travelled well, jumped for fun and was going clear at the finish.
The extra week since the Festival is a big plus for Stage Star who seems in top order and worked really well on Tuesday morning.
Everyone keeps asking if our horses that performed so well at Cheltenham will be all right at Aintree.
I think they are fine, they are doing everything I’ve asked of them at home and I couldn’t be happier with them.
The only way to find out is to run them and I expect Stage Star to shine.
14:55 – Bravemansgame
The same comments apply to Bravemansgame who ran the race of his life in finishing second in the Gold Cup four weeks ago.
It was a hell of a race, as good a Gold Cup as you will see with an end to end gallop.
He was pinpoint accurate at his fences and was the only one to make a race of it with the winner Galopin Des Champs.