The Paul Nicholls Grand National runners in 2025 will be spearheaded by his Coral Gold winner Kandoo Kid, with his main rider Harry Cobden in the saddle. However, when asked about his other four entries in Saturday’s big race he said a few of the others are not without a chance of running big races
“Kandoo Kid Has Had Two Aims This Season – The Coral Gold Cup and Grand National”
The main Paul Nicholls Grand National runner in 2025 – from his army of five – will clearly be his 9 year-old grey Kandoo Kid.
It’s no shock that his stable jockey Harry Cobden, who would have had the pick of the bunch, has opted to ride Kandoo Kid – which is why this horse is the shortest of the Nicholls runners with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
Last season Kandoo Kid got his first sighter of the unique Grand National fences when third in the Topham Chase at this meeting last season and since that run Nicholls has said the plan has always been the National.
He’s had a wind operation over the summer and returned to land the Coral Gold Cup (watch below) – the old Hennessy to more mature racing fans – and has since then been trained with the National as his next main target.
“We had two aims for him this season – the Coral Gold Cup and the Grand National,” said Paul. “We’ve ticked one off and trained him for [this Saturday’s] race. Nicholls said
“His preparation has gone well. He is good fresh. We gave him a day out to sharpen him up. He is in good shape and I would like to think he has a leading chance… We think he is the right horse [for the race]. That’s why Harry [Cobden] is riding him.”
Paul Nicholls Won The National in 2012 With Another Grey Horse
Yes, he was down the field at Newbury in the Greatwood Gold Cup at the start of March – but he’d already been given his National weight (10-11) at that point and you feel that was more of a race to ready him for the big one on Saturday.
The only other National win for Nicholls was with another grey Neptune Collonges back in 2012.
So the Ditcheat handler will be hoping for another ‘grey day’ in 2025 – saying “at least he’s the same colour!”.
Nicholls Also Thinks Hitman and Threeunderthrufive Could Outrun Their Odds
When asked who he thinks also has a decent chance from the Paul Nicholls Grand National runner 2025, he said.
“It is probably Hitman,” he said. “He has run some cracking races. He is the sort of horse who could enjoy [the Grand National]. The big plus is that the ground will not be too bad. He has plenty of talent. Hitman has not been further than three miles but [the distance] is an unknown… He might well get the trip.”
Hitman, who is part-owned by former Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson, has a habit of coming second. His last three races have all been silver-placed finishes.
Including the most recent, when runner-up in the G2 Denman Chase at Newbury in February. He was also second in the Old Roan Chase here at Aintree in October and – like ALL the five Nicholls Grand National runners – will like the better ground.
Nicholls went onto say the longer trip is, of course, a big unknown for Hitman – but said he could very well stay it.
But also said he could be the type to take to the course and fences. With Freddie Gingell getting the ride on this horse that is generally as big as 100/1 with most firms.
He also gave a big mention to Threeunderthrufive, who is around 66/1 in the market.
Saying that staying should be fine as he’s been 4th in a Scottish National (2023) and is another that he feels could outrun his 66/1 odds.
When Asked Who His Next Best Is Behind Kandoo Kid
“I think he’ll (Threeunderthrufive) will run well – he’s a good solid handicapper and has form in the Scottish National so we know he stays”
While Bravemansgame, who hasn’t won a race since landing the 2022 King George VI Chase, has dropped to a nice handicap mark (155) and brings a touch of class to the race. Adding that he thinks the horse will have “no problem staying the trip”.
Then when talking about his former Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner, Stay Away Fay – he said, if he came back to himself, he’s certainly a lively outsider.
Saying he was bought with the National in mind and his last run (11th in the Ultima) saying he didn’t run too bad having missed the break.
You can see what Paul Nicholls said about ALL five of his Grand National runners here ↘️
Vanessa Binnie-Ryle Spoke To Paul Nicholls About His Grand National Runners
Betfair ambassador @PFNicholls is ready to unleash 5 Grand National runners@V_Binnie_Ryle has been at Ditcheat for Paul's Aintree lowdown pic.twitter.com/jLrSthm6uw
— Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) April 2, 2025
