Paul Nicholls: The verdict on my Ladies Day runners at Aintree

Big Buck's got the Grand National meeting off to the best possible start for Paul with an easy win in the opening race of the opening day but what will Friday bring? Read Paul's exclusive views here

14:00, Aintree
Prospect Wells
This high-class Flat performer showed very smart novice form before Christmas but we found him to be suffering from a trapped epiglottis after he disappointed badly at Sandown in January. Took a while to get over the breathing operation that he subsequently had, but pleased us in his work before Cheltenham and took his chance in the Supreme, fitted with a tongue tie. And he ran his best race over hurdles yet, finishing just over 2 lengths in fifth, pulling 8 lengths clear of the sixth home. Certainly doesn't lack pace - he won a Group 2 over 1m2f in France - so perhaps this flatter, speed track will suit him even better. Darlan looks the one to beat again.

14:30, Aintree
Join Together
Was pulled up in the Sun Alliance last month (the second year running he has disappointed at the Festival), where he simply couldn't quite cut it with Grade 1 horses over 3m. In fact, I was kicking myself for not running him in the four miler. Perhaps he needs softer ground when pitched in at that grade over 3m - so any more rain would help his chances here - but there is little doubt that he is far better than he showed at Cheltenham, as his earlier wins at that track showed. We had the option of putting him away for the season but he is in good form and we let him take his chance here, especially with the likes of Bobs Worth, First Lieutenant and Grands Crus not turning up.

Silviniaco Conti
Ran well below-par at Ascot last time but a few of mine were not quite right at the time and there is little doubt he is much better than he showed that day. And I have always thought Aintree would suit him, so we deliberately swerved Cheltenham to keep him fresh for this meeting. And if he returns to the form of his Feltham second to Grands Crus, with Bobs Worth 3 lengths away in third, then you have to have to say that he has a favourite's chance in this company, as the race has strangely only attracted five runners. Champion Court, an excellent second in the Jewson, looks the one to beat.

15:05, Aintree
This race will take plenty of winning with Finian's Rainbow and Albertas Run in the line-up, but they had hard races at Cheltenham and Poquelin and Kauto Stone don't have that much to find on the book. And my pair, for different reasons, come here as fresh horses after frustrating experiences at the Festival last month.

Kauto Stone
The more rain the better for Kauto Stone. Won a Grade 1 in the heavy in France and looked a potential top-notcher when winning first time out for me at Down Royal in November, the form of which has worked out very well. There was no disgrace in finishing second to Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek next time but his last two starts have been very forgettable. He ran far too free when tailed off at Ascot and then fell at the first in the Champion Chase, which was very annoying because this horse is usually a brilliant jumper. I haven't lost faith in this horse one bit and Paul Carberry, who was on him at Down Royal, is back on board.

Poquelin
Was kicked at the start of the Ryanair, and was withdrawn. I personally think he could have raced as he had just a superficial cut, nothing worse than a shaving nick or a bitten lip, but at least he didn't have a hard time in what turned out to be a gruelling race. People forget what a top-class horse Poquelin is - not many horses have won handicaps off a mark of 170 - and he shouldn't be underestimated. He ran badly in this race two years ago, but that was after finishing second in the Ryanair and he comes here a fresh horse and he invariably runs well after a break. And he ran one of his best races when ½ length second to Monet's Garden in the Old Roan over this course and distance last season. I think he could give the front two in the market plenty to think about.

15:40, Aintree
Fistral Beach
Probably needed a greater test of stamina than he got when a fair third over 2m3f at Taunton last time, and a strongly-run race over these fences could spark his interest and suit him much better. He is clearly a decent horse when fresh, so the three month break since Taunton is a real positive. May be too high in the weights - he went up 7lb after winning first time up at Wetherby - but I can see him running well all the same.

Frankie Figg
If people look at this horse and think "Nicholls plot", then they can think again. I know Aintree is his track and he is now on the same mark as when winning the Grand Sefton by 5 lengths in November 2010, but that is by accident and not design. He unseated at the first last time and that was hardly an ideal prep race for this. But we know Aintree brings out the best in him - he wasn't able to establish an uncontested lead when ultimately disappointing in the Grand Sefton here in November - but if he can get out in front and into a decent jumping rhythm then he is certainly handicapped to go close.

16:15, Aintree
Hawkes Point
Has loads to find with the likes of Fingal Bay and Cotton Mill here, but is a lightly-raced horse on an upward curve. Won in the heavy over 3m at Chepstow and probably wasn't suited by the shorter trip on better ground when a 2 length second in a handicap at Sandown last time. But that Sandown run, from a harsh-looking handicap mark of 134, was an improved effort and he could run into a place at what are sure to be big odds here. Any more rain will be welcomed.

16:50, Aintree
Robinson Collonges
In truth, has proved a very frustrating horse to train - he looked a potential star novice chaser at one stage last season - but is certainly capable of making his presence felt off a mark of 136 (he finished a decent third over hurdles at Chepstow off a mark of 134 on his appearance) if he runs to his potential. And a breathing operation since his last run hopefully wouldn't have harmed his chances, either.

Like Minded
Has often flattered to deceive but he ran a fair race when a 7 length 8th to Attaglance at the Festival and has been dropped 2lb since. I can see him running well but a place is probably the best we can hope for here. Harry takes a handy 7lb off.

Paul Nicholls / 13 Apr 2012