Nicky Richards gives Takingrisks green light for Grand National bid

Nicky Richards is looking forward to his first Grand National runner in nearly a decade after Takingrisks was given the go ahead to be aimed at Aintree.

The trainer will be bidding to emulate his late father Gordon, who sent out Lucius (1978) and Hallo Dandy (1984) from their Greystoke base to win the world's most famous chase.

He is convinced that Takingrisks, who stayed on stoutly to win the Scottish Grand National last season and the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last month, is the right sort and has overcome owner Frank Bird's initial reluctance to aim him at the race.

Takingrsks: showed he is still on the up by winning the Rehearsal Chase at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He'll be running in the National, all being well," Richards said. "He's a great jumper, has bags of stamina and is super honest and consistent.

"You'd be very hopeful he might run a very good race at Aintree – he's everything you want in a racehorse.

"The old man loved the race and it's great to have a horse like him in it."

Richards saddled Feels Like Gold to finish fifth on the first of his three cracks at the National in 1999, but has not had a runner since Skippers Brig was ninth in 2011.

With a BHA rating of 147 Takingrisks should have no trouble making the final field and his mark is likely to be protected between now and the Randox Health-backed £1 million showpiece on April 4.

"I suppose with him winning the Rehearsal he might have to have a couple of runs over hurdles now," Richards said.

"I know we're all in it to win it, but if I went and won another nice chase somewhere we might not win the National. He should be nicely in the race [at the weights] now."

Takingrisks is a best-priced 40-1 for the National, with betting dominated by hat-trick-seeking Tiger Roll.

Lucinda Russell is about to draw up a plan for 2017 winner One For Arthur, who finished fifth in the Becher Chase on his latest return to Aintree last weekend.

"He's come out of the race absolutely brilliantly," the trainer said. "He's had a very easy time and we're just about to start making a plan. He'll definitely run again before the National, whether he runs twice I'm not sure."

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