Nicholls goes in heavy-handed

Somerset trainer a favourite with casual punters

Paul Nicholls experienced one of the real highs of an illustrious career when winning the Grand National with Neptune Collonges in 2012 off a 33/1 SP. The popular 54-year-old, based in Ditcheat, plays the numbers game in an attempt to double up, sending six into Saturday’s renewal.

We have picked out two of his representatives that strike us as livewires, with both expected to go off at big prices, meaning punters can back a Grand National winning yard for small stakes. It’s worth having one or two of his in your final list.

Just A Par ticking boxes

One of the bigger prices in that half-dozen is Just A Par, who goes into the morning as a 40/1 outsider with Coral traders. He is one of a few who arrive at Aintree as a winner last time out, getting home in front of a decent field at Newbury last month to sharpen the tools for this one. Campaigning over three-miles one-furlong, he beat No Duffer into second, despite going off at double-figure odds.

Did nothing but impress that day, timing his assault on the leaders to perfection, before hitting the front when it mattered and staying on to stamp the deal. He appeared to have plenty left in the tank at the end, and had the look of a winner who was enjoying the task at hand. Saturday’s trip should present backers with no worries, and they can have their stake money down with confidence, as he’ll line up with fitness to burn.

What lies ahead on Saturday won’t catch Just A Par, ridden by Harry Cobden, by surprise either, as he went around here in 2015, finishing 15^th. He was never in the contest that day, and seemed to throw the towel in when it was obvious it wasn’t his day, but he would’ve learned much from the occasion and goes as a better horse for it. Ticks a couple of the right boxes and is sure to attract plenty of each-way attention at a nice price.