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BIG CHANCE FOR PAUL NICHOLLS

ABOVE: Big Fella Thanks back to Aintree

4th February 2010

By Peter Thickett

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CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls and record breaking jockey Tony McCoy have mopped up most of the top races - but the Grand National still eludes them.

Nicholls came close at Aintree last year with My Will, 3rd, and the novice Big Fella Thanks in 6th while Mc- Coy was back in 7th on Butler’s Cabin.

Yesterday’s entries for this year’s John Smith’s--backed race on Saturday, April 10, to- talled 110 with Nicholls having a big hand with five including two front-runners in the betting Tricky Trickster and Big Fella Thanks.

Willie Mullins, who won in 2005 with Hedgehunter, has made 10 entries followed by David Pipe (Comply Or Die was a success for him in 2008) having nine.

Last year’s winner Mon Mome is also there with Phil Smith, the British Horseracing Authority’s head of handicapping, saying: “There is fantastic strength in depth to the entries.

“There are more horses rated 140 or above among the entries in this year’s race than in the previous 11 years that I
have handicapped the contest.”

Evan Williams is keeping State Of Play’s powder dry ahead of the National. His only run since last April saw him pulled up in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and the horse will go straight to Merseyside.