Aintree Betting: Paul Nicholls on his Grand National day runners

The world's best jumps trainer has four in the big one on Saturday and plenty more throughout the day. Read his thoughts on all Aintree runners here.

13:00, 1m5f Charity Race
Plenty Pocket: Owned by the Timeform Betfair Racing Club and Clive Smith partnership, he obviously disappointed us badly on his hurdling debut at Ascot. But we have given him time and he is in really good order at home. He had smart middle distance form on the Flat in France and has the assistance of one of the best jockeys in the race in Charlie Swan, who won the Leger Legends race at Doncaster last September; I reckon he has a big chance. To find out more about joining the club for just £249 per year click here


13:45, 2m4f Novice Hurdle
Rebel Rebellion: Disappointed on his first start for me but has looked a different horse after a breathing operation with clear-cut wins at Kempton and Sandown. But is still far from the finished article and would have to improve massively to trouble the principals here. But is a decent prospect, for sure.

Rock On Ruby: Has proved a star this season, completing his hat-trick of bumper wins and beating the smart Megastar by 6 lengths on his hurdling debut. Things didn't go his way when he was beaten by Bobs Worth at Cheltenham (though the winner put that run into context when winning the Albert Bartlett) and it was agonising to see him nailed on the line by First Lieutenant in the Neptune; it didn't surprise me one bit to be told he traded at [1.05] in running on Betfair there. With the likes of Cue Card and Spirit Son in opposition, this is a very, very hot race, but I can't fault my horse and he will hopefully make his considerable presence felt once again, provided Cheltenham hasn't left its mark.

Sam Winner: Looked a potential superstar when beating Grandouet by 15 lengths in November but, in truth, hasn't progressed from there. But he ran an extraordinary race when fourth in the Triumph, where he was tailed off at one stage, only to fly home to finish fourth. But in many ways that strange run - perhaps he just lost concentration and got a bit lazy in the race - could be a positive, as he didn't have a hard a race as he could have. As a 4yo, he gets 7lb here and I certainly wouldn't rule him out of this. In fact, he could be my best chance in the race.


14:15, 2m Novice Chase
Ghizao: We decided to run in this race, rather than Thursday's 2m4f, after it only attracted nine entries at the five day stage. And the 2m shouldn't be a problem at all; after all, he gave the Arkle winner Captain Chris a 10 length beating over it at Cheltenham in November and then went on to give the same horse 10lb and a 4 ½ length beating at Newbury. He obviously disappointed us in the Arkle, where a bad mistake 4 out didn't help matters, but if he comes back to his Captain Chris form then he will give Finians Rainbow plenty to think about. But, like I have said a few times, you never know how Cheltenham has affected them until they run. But he looks in good order.


14:50, 2m4f Grade 1 Hurdle
Celestial Halo: With the likes of Peddlers Cross, Binocular, Thousand Stars and Oscar Whisky in opposition, Celestial Halo clearly has his work cut out here. But I am looking forward very much to running him. He has returned to near his best on his last two starts - he may have been around a long time, but don't forget he is only a 7yo - when failing by a nose to give Mille Chief 4lb in the Kingwell and then he had little difficulty in winning the National Spirit last time. Having bypassed Cheltenham, he comes here fresh and very well. He hasn't enjoyed the best of fortunes at this track in the past, including when falling in this race last year, but I think he will run a better race than his double-figure price implies.


15:25, 3m1f Handicap Chase
Take The Breeze: Hasn't built upon his excellent second at Ascot on his reappearance and was beaten when falling when I fancied him to run a decent race at Newbury last month. But at least he has dropped 2lb in the weights as a result and he returns to the scene of his excellent third to Burton Port in the Grade 2 Novices' Chase at this meeting last year. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he bounced back to form with Ruby in the saddle; Ruby has won twice on him and was on board at Aintree last season.


16:15, The Grand National
What A Friend: We thought he would make up into a Gold Cup horse this season, and after a couple of disappointments (if you can call a head defeat in an Aon a disappointment - but it probably was!) he eventually repaid our faith when a cracking fourth at Cheltenham, just losing out by a nose to Kauto Star for third. First time blinkers, better ground and a big field undoubtedly made a big difference there and that run sees him Timeform's top-rated in today's race. I appreciate that he hasn't been trained specifically for this race - the other market-leaders clearly have - and people may view that as a negative, but his chance is there for all to see. Let's hope he can follow up his win in the Totesport Bowl here last year.

The Tother One: I see he is trading at over [100.0] on Betfair, but the punters offering those odds are taking a big risk in my book. Yes, he can be a lazy so-and-so and ran a poor race in the Argento last time (when he ran in cheekpieces). But if he takes to these fences, then he is exactly the sort to put in a big run. And look at his first two runs this season, a 4 length second to Thursday's winner Nacarat off levels in the Charlie Hall and then he finished a place in front of Niche Market when fourth in the Hennessy. Yes, I'd say the [100.0] plus is rather tempting.

Niche Market: Unlike What A Friend, this is a horse we have targeted at this race all season. An Irish National winner, he joined me this season, only to fall in the Badger Ales in November. Then he ran a very promising National trial when fifth in the Hennessy, after which we gave him a breathing operation. I was more than satisfied with his run over an inadequate 2m4f at Newbury last time and he is a strong contender in what is clearly a high-class renewal of the race.

Ornais: He was a very classy chaser back in 2008 and he has been my "special project" for this race ever since he returned from over a two year absence. He satisfied me when in need of the race at Wincanton on his reappearance and again when beaten a length over 2m7f at Newbury last time. It is asking a hell of a lot to expect him to be competitive here though, especially as the drying ground will not be in his favour. But let's hope he enjoys it, as he is on a very mark on his 2008 form if he does.

17:00, 2m Handicap Hurdle
Tito Bustillo: Ran a couple of decent races on his first two starts this season at Wincanton and Taunton but he ran an absolute shocker in the Imperial Cup last time, made even worse because I told readers of this column that I thought he would go well at a big price. He has a chance if he could return to his best, and obviously Ryan is good value for his 5lb claim.


Read Paul's three best chances at Aintree here

Paul Nicholls / 9 Apr 2011