Nicholls Pleased With Niche National Weight

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls could barely hide his pleasure at seeing his useful staying chaser Niche Market allocated a racing weight of just 10st 5lbs for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14, writes Elliot Slater.

Rated in 44th place in the handicap out of the 82 entries for the ‘world’s greatest steeplechase’, Niche Market looks virtually certain to make the starting line-up and bid to improve on his fine effort in last year’s contest when he finished fifth of the 40 runners behind Ballabriggs. In being asked to carry some 8lbs lower than last April Niche Market does appear to have been cut quite a lot of slack by BHA handicapper Phil Smith, having already shown this term that he is maintaining his form well in finishing in the mid-division on his seasonal bow behind the useful Exmoor Ranger at Ascot in October, then runner-up over the Grand National fences to the impressive West End Rocker in the listed Betfred Becher Handicap Chase over three-and-a-quarter miles, at the start of December. People looking for the best Grand National bets will have to keep an eye on him.

Describing Niche Market’s burden as “a lovely weight”, Nicholls will be hoping the 11-year-old can run to the same kind of mark as last term in which case he would appear to have an outstanding chance of finishing in the frame if he jumps a clear round. Bookmakers are divided as to their opinion of the chance of the gelded son of Presenting at Aintree, some making him no more than a 20/1 shot, whilst others rate him at 33/1 despite the fact that the proven stayer – he won the 2009 Jameson Irish Grand National – appears to have plenty going for him this time around.

Nicholls’ other entry, Neptune Collonges, was handed 11st 6lbs and at this stage appears more likely to bid again for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in which he finished a brave sixth to Beshabar in last year’s renewal.