Bravemansgame and Clan Des Obeaux among Aintree entries as Nicholls takes aim

Paul Nicholls, odds-on for a 13th trainers' title, was not overly represented at the Cheltenham Festival, but might throw the kitchen sink, toaster and avocado slicer at day one of the Grand National meeting on Thursday when he has entered 12 of his powerful string.

Nicholls had nine runners at Cheltenham, but could be much busier on Merseyside and his possible participants include Bravemansgame, arguably the star of his Somerset stable who is entered in the SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45).

Clan Des Obeaux is set to be on duty in the Betway Bowl (2.55) – a race he won last year – although Cheltenham Gold Cup third Protektorat is unlikely to make things easy for the Ditcheat inmate in that.

Nicholls won the Betway Aintree Hurdle (3.30) in 2013 with Zarkandar and could be represented by McFabulous and Monmiral in that contest, which is worth £250,000.

Nicky Henderson, second to Nicholls in the title race, which is decided on prize-money, may field JP McManus-owned pair Epatante, second to Champion Hurdle queen Honeysuckle at Cheltenham, and Buveur D'Air, the Aintree Hurdle winner in 2018.

Willie Mullins, the all-conquering Irish champion, recently indicated his intention to have a crack at Nicholls, Henderson and Protektorat's trainer Dan Skelton, but has only three entries at Aintree on Thursday, when £930,000 in prize-money is up for grabs.

2019 Bowl winner Kemboy could lead the raiding party along with Ashroe Diamond and Eabha Grace in the Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (5.15).

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