Paul Nicholls Grand National Festival Day 1 Runners: Stage Star is a player on Thursday

• Star takes centre Stage but Sans Bruit is Paul's best chance

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Timeform Superboost

Nicky Henderson's Jango Baie won the Grade 1 Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, continuing his streak of never finishing outside of the top three in his career (eight starts), and on Thursday you can back him at the super-boosted price of 1/12.00 (from 2/51.40) to finish in the top three in the 13:45 at Aintree.

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Watch Paul Nicholls discuss his three day 1 runners...

13:45 Aintree - Rubaud

He is very consistent, has taken really well to fences and showed a great attitude to win the Group 2 Pendil Chase at Kempton late in February.

While he is in good form at home, and the ground has come in his favour, he has just fallen short in the past in Grade 1 company. But he has earned a shot in what looks a tough race.

14:55 Aintree - Stage Star

I was well pleased with his last run at Cheltenham where he was narrowly beaten by L'Homme Presse in the Cotswold Chase in January.

The step up in trip that day suited him, he likes good ground and his best form is on left-handed tracks so there are plenty of positives for Stage Star who is definitely a player in this race.

16:40 Aintree - Sans Bruit

He is back to the scene of his all the way victory in this race 12 months ago when he was 4lbs out of the handicap. So the Red Rum has again been the plan since his promising run in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November and this time he is in the handicap which helps.

Sans Bruit didn't seem to handle deep winter ground but comes good in the spring. Back down to a mark of 130, he should hopefully be very competitive again. He is my best chance of a winner on Thursday.

Timeform Verdict

Sans Bruit - 16:40 Aintree

A typically competitive renewal of the Red Rum Handicap Chase but Sans Bruit must have an excellent chance of repeating his success in this race 12 months ago.

He is a terrific jumper and he ran his rivals into the ground last season, having plenty out of their comfort zone and he hasn't shaped too badly in defeat so far this season.

Sans Bruit is back down to 130, but this time will race from his proper mark - he was 2lb out of the handicap last year - and with the return to a sound surface sure to be in his favour, he seems sure to launch another bold bid at a speed-favouring track which suits his run style.

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