How Many Times Has Paul Nicholls Won The Grand National?

Paul Nicholls is one of the most decorated trainers in horse racing and has enjoyed success in countless major events over his career – but how many times has he landed the Grand National?

Paul Nicholls won the Grand National in 2012 with Neptune Collonges

The former champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls has won the Grand National ONCE in his career.

21 years on from taking out his trainer’s license, the Ditcheat handler landed the Grand National and joined the history books with Neptune Collonges.

Sent off a 33/1 shot in 2012 ridden by Daryl Jacob, Neptune Collonges edged out Jonjo O’Neill’s Sunnyhillboy on the line to win by a nose.

As soon as the pair crossed the line it looked like it could’ve been a first dead-heat in the Aintree showpiece before the photo confirmed Nicholls had landed the £547,000 National prize money.

That slender distance marked the closest finish in race history and he became the first grey Grand National winner since Nicolaus Silver in 1961 and only the third grey in history.

His owner, the late John Hales, retired him immediately after a stunning career – picking up over £1.3 million in prize money, winning 16 of 36 starts under rules.

The victory also meant Nicholls snatched the trainers’ championship from Nicky Henderson‘s grasp in injury time and to this day it remains one of the most dramatic Grand Nationals ever.

Neptune Collonges was a fine horse across his career, additionally winning two Punchestown Gold Cups and an Irish Gold Cup.

WATCH: Neptune Collonges wins the 2012 Grand National in a photo finish

Kandoo Kid is Paul Nicholls’ best Grand National hope in 2025

As per the best horse racing betting sites, Kandoo Kid is a 20/1 shot to win the 4m 2½f steeplechase at Aintree on Saturday, April 5.

At the Grand National weights lunch in February, Nicholls admitted Kandoo Kid is the ‘ideal horse’ to win the race off a mark of 152 and a ‘nice’ racing weight of 10st 11lbs.

He impressed over the National fences when finishing a close third in the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree last season, prompting Nicholls to work back from the £1 million race.

The nine-year-old underwent wind surgery in July 2024 before returning to win the Grade 3 Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November over 3m 2f.

He dropped back in trip at the same venue in early March for a prep run, managing eighth in the Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup to put him on song for a strong Grand National bid.

Nicholls’ stable jockey Harry Cobden will take the ride on Kandoo Kid and he’s been especially bullish about his chances in recent weeks, adamant that the horse will run a good race.

Kandoo Kid is also one of the few grey Grand National horses, so he’ll be a popular pick on the day with casual punters.

WATCH: Kandoo Kid wins the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury

Nicholls saddles four other runners in bid to win a second Grand National

Alongside main hope Kandoo Kid, Nicholls will also send four other runners to Aintree in the form of Bravemansgame, Stay Away Fay, Threeunderthrufive and Hitman.

Bravemansgame, the 2022 King George VI Chase hero and 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, will be ridden by three-time French champion jockey James Reveley.

Currently a 50/1 shot for the race, Bravemansgame looks to be on the decline having not got his nose in front since Boxing Day over two years ago but stepping into this company might get a different tune out of him.

He’s dropped 17lbs from his highest mark of 172 and Reveley holds good experience in the race having saddled six runners since riding 8/1 second-favourite Rambling Minster in 2009.

WATCH: Bravemansgame wins the 2022 King George VI Chase

Stay Away Fay is another horse with a touch of class and relentless stamina about him after winning the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 but he’s been quite disappointing over fences.

After winning his first two starts over the bigger obstacles, including a win over Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning at Exeter, Stay Away Fay was pulled up or tailed off in four of his next five races.

Like Reveley, Bryony Frost will travel over from France to take the ride here and Nicholls believes an 11th-place finish in the Ultima at Cheltenham in March will put him spot on for the National.

WATCH: Stay Away Fay wins the 2023 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Harry Skelton takes the ride on Threeunderthrufive and arrives with good prep after going down by a nose to the Venetia Williams-trained Victtorino in the Swinley at Ascot in February.

Currently available to back at 66/1, Threeunderthrufive was handed a rating of 153 and a racing weight of 10st 12lbs.

For those considering a bet however, Nicholls is on record saying he doesn’t think he’s ‘the best handicapped horse in the world’ but noted him as a good, solid stayer with the form to back it up.

Threeunderthrufive finished fourth in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in 2023 so stamina won’t be an issue and he comes into the race with a bit of momentum.

WATCH: Threeunderthrufive narrowly denied in the Swinley Handicap Chase

Nicholls’ designated claimer Freddie Gingell is jocked up on Hitman for the Grand National, currently trading at around 150/1 in the betting.

The nine-year-old is still putting in some solid performances having been runner-up in his last three starts – in the Old Roan at Aintree in October, the bet365 Handicap Chase at Ascot in January and the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury in February.

That run at Newbury was highly promising, finishing ahead of stablemate Bravemansgame but he looks up against it at the weights – carrying 11st 1lb off a mark of 156.

His last win was in November 2022 and he’s never ventured beyond three miles in his career so the trip is a complete unknown.

WATCH: Hitman’s last win in the Graduation Chase at Haydock in 2022

🥊 Hitman wins the Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Graduation Chase at @haydockraces

The class act in the field #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/4pnHcGlM9L

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 19, 2022