Paul Nicholls has said he could end up running all five of his Randox Grand National contenders after learning their weights for the world’s greatest steeplechase.

The 14-times Champion Trainer has saddled a total of 78 runners in the race through his career, winning it once with Neptune Collonges in 2012.

However, he has not had a runner in the Aintree showpiece since Yala Enki and Give Me A Copper in 2021 and has not had a horse finish the race since 2017 when Just A Par finished 14th, Le Mercurey was 12th and Wonderful Charm was 19th.

Speaking after learning the weights for all five of his entries for the race on April 5th, Nicholls admitted: “We haven’t had anything suitable for a good few years so it’s nice to have some horses with nice chances. It’s conceivable that they could all go there.”

Ditcheat-based Nicholls saddled his first runner in the race in 1992 when Just So finished sixth and has had six runners in the race on two occasions - 2006 and 2016.

After discovering the weights for each of this year’s entries he assessed their chances:

HITMAN

At 20 on the list he is rated 156 and has been given a weight of 11st 1lb.

“That’s about what we expected and I’m looking forward to running him. He’s been running well of late and he’s run well in some really big races, so that’s perfect.

“He’s in on Saturday (the Betfair Ascot Chase) but we’ll make a decision on that on Thursday. Obviously he only ran on Saturday (when second in the William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase) so I’ll just see what declares and see how he is. But if he runs on Saturday then he’ll go straight to Aintree.”

BRAVEMANSGAME

At 21st on the list he rated 155 and has a weight of 11st.

“He dropped two pounds for Saturday (when third in the William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase) so he’s 11 stone now – that’s a real racing weight for him and as a Grade One winner that’s just the job. We are pleased with that.

“I’ve had this in mind for him for a while because obviously he’s sort of regressed a little bit from his Grade One level, but he’s still a King George winner. He’s been running well this year without really firing and this might just spark him up. We’re looking forward to it.

“He’ll go straight to Aintree now. He’s come out of Saturday very well.”

THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE

At 25th on the list he is rated 153 and has been allocated a weight of 10st 12lb.

“He runs on Saturday at Ascot (the Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase) and then we’ll make a plan as to whether we run him here (Aintree) or whether he goes to the Scottish National. I’ve got to decide on that one.

“But he definitely runs on Saturday and he’s a possible. I know Max (McNeill, owner) would like to run him in it so he’s definitely a possible. We just wouldn’t want the ground too soft.”

KANDOO KID

At 28th on the list he is rated 152 and has a weight of 10st 11lb.

“He’s a Coral Gold Cup winner and he went round Aintree last year – I’d be very happy with that weight.

“He might go to Kempton next Saturday (for the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase) – I need to discuss it with the owner. I wouldn’t run him on very, very soft ground. It’s that option or March 1st at Newbury where he likes it, just over two and a half miles just to give him a day out. It’s possible he’ll run but it’s not essential.

“Straight after the Topham (in 2024 when he finished third) I said to the owner there are two targets next year – the Coral Gold Cup and then the Grand National. So we’ve done one part of it and it would be nice if we could do the other. He’s got a nice profile for it.”

STAY AWAY FAY

At 40th on the list with a rating of 150 and a weight of 10st 9lb.

“He’s got to qualify yet. He’d need to have another run so I’m planning on getting another run into him over fences before March 18th. He could even go to Cheltenham.

“We’ve just got to get him back right because we haven’t had him right yet.”