Paul Nicholls: The latest on my five-strong Grand National team

Paul Nicholls
24 March 2017

Saphir Du Rheu impressed in the Gold Cup, is a National win next?

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There's just over a fortnight to go until the big one at Aintree where Paul is set to field a quintet of horse including Gold Cup fifth, Saphir Du Rheu. Read Paul's thoughts on his famous five here...

"Le Mercurey jumps soundly, will be ideally suited by the flat track at Aintree and has plenty of experience for a seven-year-old. Although racing anoraks will tell you horses of that age group have a poor record in the National I don't agree with that theory and I do like his chance."

Saphir Du Rheu - Latest Exchange odds 24.023/1
Is in good shape after his excellent show in finishing a close fifth in the Gold Cup. He is now 6lbs well in at Aintree as that is the amount he has been put up by the handicapper for that run.
He was staying on at the finish of the Gold Cup and has finished second in a World Hurdle so stamina should not be an issue though you can never be sure over four-and-a-half miles.
I'm not surprised Sam Twiston-Davies has chosen to ride Saphir Du Rheu because he gave him a great spin at the Festival.

Vicente - 32.031/1

Won the Scottish Grand National a year ago, comes alive in the spring and like all my National runners this year wants good ground.

He has been ticking over nicely racing through the winter on soft going that doesn't suit. He looks great at the moment and just wants a bit of sun on his back which could see him bounce back to form on the galloping track at Aintree in the colours of his new owner Trevor Hemmings.

Just A Par - 55.054/1

Is in the National sale which takes place on the Thursday evening after final declarations.

Just A Par is a strong stayer who won the bet365 Gold Cup two years ago and almost won it again last April.

While he prefers good ground he did come from an unpromising position to win in the mud last time at Newbury.

Rain on the day of the race spoiled his chance in the National 12 months ago. Drier conditions would be in his favour this time before he returns to Sandown for another crack at the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season.

Le Mercurey - 85.084/1

You can put a line through his last run at Kelso as the ground was much too deep for him that day. Before that he showed top form against Native River, Many Clouds and Minella Rocco which reads very well.

Le Mercurey jumps soundly, will be ideally suited by the flat track at Aintree and has plenty of experience for a seven-year-old.

Although racing anoraks will tell you horses of that age group have a poor record in the National I don't agree with that theory and I do like his chance.

Wonderful Charm - 110.0109/1

Excelled himself in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham where he was only just touched off by his stable companion Pacha Du Polder.
He has come down 11lbs since that run to a more realistic mark of 142 which, in theory, means that he is 11lbs badly in at Aintree!

Then again he was never a 153 horse for all the tea in China which is why I sent him hunter chasing in the first place.
Some might suggest that I should sidestep Aintree with him and look to run him elsewhere off his more favourable new handicap mark.

But his owners are keen for him to go for the National and the right attitude over the fences there can compensate for extra pounds in the saddle.

Trainers' Championship: I can still reel in my mate Nicky!

With so much prize money at stake in the Grand National the race could play a big part in the outcome of the trainers' championship.

And if a couple of mine finish in the frame it would be a big boost to my chances of retaining the title.

At the moment Nicky Henderson holds a lead of around £135,000 which is not a massive amount with so many cards still to be played at Aintree, Ayr, Cheltenham and Sandown.

If Nicky wins a couple of Grade 1s at Aintree I realise it could be all over. But while I am short of Grade 1 contenders I have loads of horses ready to run who will enjoy the better spring ground and we will keep chipping away while we are still competitive.

I was in much the same position a year ago chasing Willie Mullins. Plenty of pundits wrote off my chances then but with Team Ditcheat finishing the season with a flourish I managed to edge ahead again in the nick of time.

You can be sure I will keep trying while it is mathematically possible to catch Nicky and our duel will be played out in the best of humour because we are good mates. Let's get it on.

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