Paul Nicholls’ Aintree gamble can pay-off

Paul Nicholls at Kempton Park Racecourse last month. Picture: Alan Crowhurst

Paul Nicholls’ decision to swerve the Cheltenham Festival with a number of his leading lights can pay off on the opening day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.

Four Grade One contests kick off proceedings and Nicholls has leading contenders in all four, the most high-profile of which is dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux in the Betway Bowl.