Nicholls excited to have some ‘nice chances’ of National success

Paul Nicholls is optimistic that the Randox might reignite the career of after his “real racing weight” allocation for the big marathon was revealed.

The 10-year-old has nine victories on his CV, including two Grade One titles over fences in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and the King George VI Chase – both contests held at Kempton.

He has not won since the latter victory on Boxing Day 2022, though he was notably second on his next start to Galopin Des Champs in the 2023 running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The bay’s mark has begun to slide in recent years and some beaten efforts this term have seen him allocated 11st for the showpiece, a burden Nicholls feels will be competitive come April.

“He dropped 2lb for Saturday (when third in the Denman Chase), so he’s 11st now – that’s a real racing weight for him and as a Grade One winner, that’s just the job. We are pleased with that.

“I’ve had this in mind for him for a while because obviously he’s regressed a little bit from his Grade One level, but he’s still a King George winner. He’s been running well this year without really firing and this might just spark him up. We’re looking forward to it.

“He’ll go straight to now. He’s come out of Saturday very well.”

Nicholls, who hit the jackpot with Neptune Collonges in 2012, has five horses entered in the famous steeplechase, as Hitman (11st 1lb), Threeunderthrufive (10st 12lb), (10st 11lb) and Stay Away Fay (10st 9lb) join Bravemansgame in being possible contenders for the highly valuable steeplechase.

The trainer added: “We haven’t had anything suitable for a good few years, so it’s nice to have some horses with nice chances. It’s conceivable that they could all go there.”

Of Hitman, who was second in the Denman Chase on Saturday and sits 20th on the Aintree entries list at present, Nicholls said: “That’s about what we expected and I’m looking forward to running him. He’s been running well of late and he’s run well in some really big races, so that’s perfect.

“He’s in on Saturday (the Ascot Chase) but we’ll make a decision on that on Thursday. Obviously, he only ran on Saturday, so I’ll just see what declares and see how he is. But if he runs on Saturday, then he’ll go straight to Aintree.”

Threeunderthrufive is also a possible for the Scottish Grand and his spring destination could be determined by his run in the Swinley Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

“He runs on Saturday at Ascot and then we’ll make a plan as to whether we run him here (Aintree) or whether he goes to the Scottish National. I’ve got to decide on that one,” said Nicholls.

“He definitely runs on Saturday and he’s a possible. I know Max (McNeill, owner) would like to run him in it, so he’s definitely a possible. We just wouldn’t want the ground too soft.”

Kandoo Kid was the winner of the Coral Gold Cup on his last outing and was also third in the Topham around the Grand National course last year, two pieces of form that could combine to give him a real chance in the big one.

“He’s a Coral Gold Cup winner and he went round Aintree last year – I’d be very happy with that weight,” said Nicholls.

“He might go to Kempton next Saturday (for the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase) – I need to discuss it with the owner. I wouldn’t run him on very, very soft ground. It’s that option or March 1 at Newbury, where he likes it, just over two and a half miles just to give him a day out. It’s possible he’ll run but it’s not essential.

“Straight after the Topham, I said to the owner there are two targets next year – the Coral Gold Cup and then the Grand National. So, we’ve done one part of it and it would be nice if we could do the other. He’s got a nice profile for it.”

Stay Away Fay carries the lowest weight of all the Nicholls-trained entrants and still requires one further start over fences to make him eligible for the race.

“He’s got to qualify yet. He’d need to have another run, so I’m planning on getting another run into him over fences before March 18. He could even go to Cheltenham,” the trainer said.

“We’ve just got to get him back right because we haven’t had him right yet.”