Grand National
5.03.2010
If there is anyone out there as yet unconvinced that Paul Nicholls, champion trainer, is not a master of his craft, then I shall ask the men in white coats to pay you a visit in the very near future. It is not the least bit surprising then that the master of Ditcheat has seriously set his sights on winning one of the few races to evade his grasp - the John Smith's Grand National.
Nicholls has sent out some 44 runners over the years in his quest to land the world's greatest steeplechase, but as yet the prize has proved frustratingly elusive. For a while last year it looked as though My Will might break the hoodoo, but he couldn't stay with Mon Mome and Comply Or Die on the run from the last and has to settle for an honourable third.
This year Nicholls looks to have his best chance yet of getting his name on the score-sheet with a roster of quality candidates headed by ante-post favourite Tricky Trickster, winner of the Aon Chase and successful last year at the Cheltenham Festival. There has been quiet support for the horse for the Cheltenham Gold Cup from many in the racing tips community, although expecting him to mix it with Denman and Kauto Star is probably asking a little too much.
As well as Tricky Trickster, Nicholls is also set to run the improving staying chaser Big Fella Thanks, the very classy Taranis, winner of the Argento Chase last time after a massive lay-off, My Will, back to the scene of his tremendous effort 12 months ago, and Nozic, a mid-division finisher over the inadequate trip of the Topham Trophy last year, and better suited to extreme staying distances such as the Grand National offers.
A number of firms offer odds for Nicholls to finally win the race, but the 7/1 offered by Ladbrokes is by far the most generous and looks a sporting wager giving punters up to five potential strings to their Grand National 2010 bow.
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