12-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls was speaking to Betfair ahead of the first day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree. Nicholls discusses the chances his runners have in Thursday's races:
13:45 - Pic D'Orhy
I've had this race in mind all season for Pic D'Orhy who is best on a flat track like Aintree with nice ground. We were never going to Cheltenham with him and probably shouldn't have taken him to Sandown. He is exciting and looked smart when winning last time at Kempton which was his best performance over fences. He has won two Grade 2 Chases and it would be nice to win a Grand 1.
14:55 - Clan Des Obeaux
He is back to the scene of his runaway victory in this race a year ago in first time cheek pieces. He went on to gain a brilliant success at Punchestown. Clan hasn't been at his best yet this season but still ran well in the King George. I was then a little disappointed with him at Newbury when our horses were a bit out of form.
