Paul Nicholls has solidified his game plan for the upcoming Randox Grand National, scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Aintree. After a triumphant week at the Cheltenham Festival where his horse Caldwell Potter brought home glory, Nicholls is keenly looking ahead to the National, eyeing a strong contingent of horses that he has meticulously prepared.
In an interview on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, Nicholls expressed confidence in his lineup, stating, "They’re in a good place at the moment and I’m happy with them all." He revealed jockey assignments for several key horses due to compete at Aintree: James Reveley will be aboard Bravemansgame, while Bryony Frost will ride Stay Away Fay. Additionally, Harry Skelton is set to ride Threeunderthrufive, Freddie Gingell will take the reins on Hitman, and Harry Cobden is lined up for Kandoo Kid.
Kandoo Kid, a Coral Gold Cup winner with a favorable weight for the National, has been specifically groomed for this race since his previous outing in the Topham last year. “Kandoo Kid is a Coral Gold Cup winner, he’s got a nice weight and we’ve trained him for the race,” Nicholls elaborated. His confidence seems well-founded, considering that winners of the Coral Gold Cup historically perform well at Aintree.
Threeunderthrufive, another contender in Nicholls’ stable, is noted for his solid stamina. “He’s a good solid stayer, has good form. I still don’t think he’s the best handicapped in the world,” Nicholls said, hinting at both optimism and caution regarding the horse’s chances.
For Bravemansgame, a King George winner, Nicholls is optimistic about the horse’s potential impact. "He’s a class horse, King George winner, if he took to it he could be really interesting," he remarked, highlighting Bravemansgame's previous successes and the possibility of a strong run at Aintree.
Stay Away Fay is also in the spotlight as he heads into the National off a recent performance where he finished 11th in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Nicholls explained, “It’s the first time he’s finished in four runs,” noting that despite the result, “he had a nice run round and jumped very well. That would’ve brought him on a lot.” The trainer believes this experience is crucial for getting Stay Away Fay ready for the big race.
Looking ahead, Nicholls shared that while Pic d’Orhy would not be participating this year, focusing instead on a race at Sandown, his team remains robust. “Rubaud’s ready to go, Regent Stroll’s ready to go, Kalif du Berlais is ready to go and lots of other horses as well, so we’ll have a big team for Aintree,” he stated, clearly excited about the breadth of talent he has available.
Stage Star is also slated to compete in the National, and Nicholls is keen to run Caldwell Potter over three miles if the ground conditions permit. This strategic focus reflects a long-standing approach by Nicholls, who has a history of targeting Aintree as a key event in his training calendar. The trainer's affinity for race day at Aintree is palpable as he gears up to showcase his squad.
In conclusion, Paul Nicholls is charting an ambitious course for the Randox Grand National 2025. With notable jockey pairings and thorough preparations set for a selection of quality horses, fans of the sport can look forward to a thrilling race day filled with competitive spirit and potentially memorable performances.
