Paul Nicholls Grand National Runners 2025: Ditcheat Dynamo has five entries

In the lead up to the Grand National 2025, the Betfred TV team sent Rupert Bell down to trainer-Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat stables to run his eye over his Aintree hopefuls, including Kandoo Kid and Stay Away Fay, who are set to run in the big race.

There’s also a word for Pic D’Ohry, who is a leading contender if he turns up in the Melling Chase, a race he’s won before.

Horse Racing Odds

Nicholls trained the winner of the Grand National in 2012, with the grey Neptune Collonge landing the prize by a nose at odds of 33/1.

The 14-time British jumps racing Champion Trainer has five entries in this year’s contest and gave journalists a rundown of his horses’ chances at his Stable Tour filmed before Cheltenham.

Nicholls was the most enthusiastic of any of his runners when it came to Kandoo Kid saying:

“I think he represents our best chance; I say that because Harry [Cobden] will ride him, which says it all.

"He’s a [Hennessy] Gold Cup winner who jumped fantastically well in the Topham last year.”

At the end of last season, Nicholls told Cobden:

“Two targets next year, the [Hennessy] Gold Cup and the Grand National. We’ve done one already, which was first time out, and then he’s off to Aintree now.

"Big strong horse, relaxed, plenty of stamina; to me, he’s got a lot about him that suggests he could run a big race."

He’s been raised half a stone off the back of that effort at Newbury and was given a spin in the Greatwood Gold Cup at the beginning of March, finishing eighth. He’s available at 20/1 in Betfred’s Non-Runner No Bet market.

Stay Away Fay is a bigger price at 66/1.

“I always thought he’d be a real National horse.” Nicholls states.

“He’s an Albert Bartlett winner and will stay forever. He’s looking good in his skin now. We’ve done a few different things with him, and we’ll see.”

50/1 chance Threeunderfive has been campaigned for the National. He likes Spring ground and Nicholls was bullish about his chances.

“He could run really well; he’s started jumping really well now. Harry Skelton will ride him, and I’d say he’s in the best form he’s ever been.”

Nicholls goes on to talk fondly about Bravemansgame and Hitman. The former is a 40/1 chance, a former King George winner, and has finished second in a Gold Cup, so has plenty of class.

Hitman is a much bigger price at 100/1, and although he’s another classy animal, the Grand National trip would be a step into the unknown.

The Aintree Grand National 2025 will be run on Saturday April 5 at 16:00. Keep your eyes peeled on Betfred Insights, for the latest tips and information on the big race.

Click the links for the latest Today's Horse Races

Find more Grand National Tips here at Betfred Insights