ICONIC trainer Paul Nicholls has weighed in on who punters should back in Saturday’s Grand National.
The 14-time champion trainer is predicting a 1-2 with an interesting each-way chance running into third.
Paul Nicholls has weighed in on the Grand National winnerCredit: PA
Despite having five runners in last year’s – the Somerset based trainer has none in this year’s instalment of the world’s most watched horse race.
He famously won it in 2012 as Neptune Collonges won by the tightest margin in history.
With no runners this year, he said he will enjoy watching it regardless and provided his predictions for the race.
In an exclusive interview, Betfair Ambassador Nicholls told SunSport: “I think I Am Maximus will go very well.
“It wouldn’t surprise me, the way Willie’s going, if Grangeclare West also ran very well.”
He added: “If you want an outsider Panic Attack for Dan [Skelton] I think that will definitely be in the three – she’s won a Coral Gold Cup and ran really nicely.
“So there we are – I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West and Panic Attack.”
So Champion Trainer Mullins’ 6-1 favourite I am Maximus is the pick for Nicholls.
Paul Townend and I Am Maximus won the Grand National in 2024Credit: The Times
It was confirmed that star jockey Paul Townend will ride ‘ 10-year-old in the National for the third year in a row.
The pair won it together in 2024 before finishing second to stablemate Nick Rockett last year, as Willie’s son Patrick Mullins won the famous race for the first time.
Nicholls predicts Grangeclare West, also trained by Mullins, to be the next best after I Am Maximus.
Patrick will be onboard the gelding who finished third in last year’s National – where Mullins got a famous 1-2-3.
Finally, Nicholls tipped ‘s Panic Attack – the mare makes her debut at the gruelling 4m2½f distance.
Since joining Skelton in 2024 she has won four of her eight races – including a run of form in which she made-all in Class 1 company three times in a row.
So in the absence of his own runners, the 2012 National winning trainer has backed his former apprentice to grab a place in Saturday’s main event.
Skelton spent nine years working at Nicholls’ stables before setting up his own in 2013.
His star mare and sole entry Panic Attack can be backed at a price of 7-1 .
Paul Nicholls was speaking ahead of the Grand National Festival, play different at the Grand National this year with Betfair.
Paul Nicholls' best chance at Aintree
Paul Nicholls revealed his best chance at the Aintree Festival this week.
Nicholls said: “I think one of our best chances, hopefully if all goes well, is Regent’s Stroll in the three-mile novice chase.
“I think he’s crying out for three miles. He ran well at Aintree last year, and hopefully, he’ll run well again.”
Regent’s Stroll, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, is set to run in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase over 3m1f on Friday.
The gelding who is unexposed at the extended distance is currently 3-1.
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