The Grand National is the pinnacle of jumps racing—a true test of stamina, skill, and determination. Paul Nicholls knows exactly what it takes to win the Aintree showpiece, having saddled Neptune Collonges to a dramatic victory in 2012.
The grey, sent off at 33/1, produced a thrilling late surge to win by a nose, securing the 14-time Champion Trainer his first and only triumph in the race to date.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Ditcheat trainer will be hoping to add a second National success to his glittering CV. Targeting to have at least four runners in the final field come April 5, Nicholls could have a strong hand to play once again.
Here, we take a closer look at his potential Grand National runners and assess their chances of etching their names into the iconic race’s history.
Kandoo Kid – 25/1
Kandoo Kid is not only Nicholls’ leading hope in the Grand National but also one of Britain’s best chances to halt Ireland’s dominance in the race behind the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko.
The nine-year-old has experience over the National’s demanding fences when finishing a respectable third and beaten by just two lengths in the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree last year, and made a fantastic start to this season with a win in the Grade 3 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Nicholls is keen on his chances, too, claiming: “I think he’d be a great type for Aintree. He’s been round there once before and was brilliant. He’s got the National written all over him and that’s what we’ll train him for.”
Bravemansgame – 40/1
An exciting novice chaser and billed as a future Gold Cup winner a couple of years ago, Bravemansgame made a promising start in open company when winning the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase and the prestigious King George VI Chase before finishing a respectable second to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham showpiece.
However, he hasn’t hit the same heights since and is currently on a losing streak of 10 runs that spans back to his King George win on Boxing Day 2022. The Grand National can bring the best out of quality horses like Bravemansgame, and Nicholls is hoping that will be the case with his 10-year-old.
“He’s just had a fairly tough time, he’s run some good races, apart from the King George when I think we paid for going too quick too early on in the race, I think he’s run two solid races this year,” the trainer said.
“It’s a bit different running in a handicap than it is running in Grade 1s all the time and I just think it might spark him up, he might enjoy it.”
Stay Away Fay – 50/1
Coming in at 50/1, Stay Away Fay won the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and made a promising start over fences when scoring in the Silver Bowl and the Grade 2 Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase.
However, he hasn’t been the same horse since finishing third in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham Trials Day 12 months ago—pulled up on each of his last three starts, including in the Brown Advisory, Scottish Grand National and a handicap hurdle on reappearance.
Nicholls still has to find another three-mile chase for Stay Away Fay before March 8 for the eight-year-old to qualify for the Grand National, but that is the plan.
“Stay Away Fay has to run in another three-mile chase, by I think March 8,” Nicholls said. “He hasn’t been easy to get right this year so we’re cracking on with him this year and I’m hopeful I can get another run into him before that date.
“But if they’re all qualified and all fit and well then, yes, they could all run.”
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Hitman, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, was second in a Handicap Chase at Ascot last month and is 100/1 for the Grand National, while Silver Cup third Threeunderthrufive is 66/1.
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