Nicholls looking ahead to Aintree

Paul Nicholls is still weighing up his options for his three entries in the John Smith's Grand National.

The reigning champion trainer has three horses engaged in the world's most famous jumps race in a fortnight's time, but could yet reroute the two horses in which Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has a share, What A Friend and Harry The Viking.

"It is hard to believe history will repeat itself after Neptune Collonges' win last year, but I have aimed Join Together at this race all season," said Nicholls in his exclusive Betfair blog.

"He schooled well this week, is going to have a racecourse gallop early next week, and I am happy with him.

"Harry The Viking is also well after his Cheltenham run but would like the ground to dry up, and What A Friend will also have an entry for the Betfred Bowl because I wouldn't want him to be carrying top weight in a soft-ground National. We are keeping our options open with him."

Nicholls said he was pleased to have "plenty of fresh horses to take to Liverpool."

"But, like everybody else, I really do hope that we get some decent ground," he went on. "We won't make a decision on any of the Cheltenham horses until we get them back in full work next week, but I can tell you about my plans for plenty of my other runners that were kept back for Liverpool.

"Irish Saint goes for the juvenile, but at the moment I have my eyes set on some French targets later on in the season for my Triumph-placed horses Far West and Sametegal.

"Prospect Wells goes for the 2m4f Aintree Hurdle, a race in which World Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo and Champion Hurdle fourth Zarkandar are possibles too, though Celestial obviously has the 3m Liverpool Hurdle as an option too.

"Next week will tell us whether we have any runners in the Bowl, but we have Toubab (needs good ground), and possibly Rebel Rebellion, earmarked for the Red Rum Chase.

"We have freshened Fago up and he seems to be coming back to himself again. He has the two-mile novice chase as a possible target, as does Rebel Rebellion, and Pacha Du Polder has several options, including the Topham.

"Funny Star, not seen out since Aintree in October, could go for the 2m4f handicap hurdle. I am looking forward to running Newbury runner-up Vago Collonges in the bumper and we have a couple of strong hands to play in the novice chases with Rolling Aces and Rocky Creek.

"Michel Le Bon bounced back to form in blinkers last time and they will be on again as he bids to follow up in the 3m1f handicap chase, and we have Easter Day, Wilton Milan and Just A Par as possibles for the novice hurdles."

Nicholls was in a reflective mood over last week's Cheltenham Festival, where the yard managed to find just one winner when Salubrious took the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle.

"Clearly, we had our disappointments on the track last week - none more so than Silviniaco Conti falling three out in the Gold Cup - but I don't dwell on negatives," said the trainer. "Of course, disappointment surfaced and hurt in the immediate aftermath of races that didn't go our way at the Festival - I won't lie to you - but moping around and feeling sorry for ourselves serves no purpose.

"You have to look forward in this game, no matter what it throws at you. And looking ahead to next season, and strengthening the squad, I have already bought three new horses this week.

"Besides, success on the week was put into perspective by the injury to JT McNamara. All our thoughts remain with JT and his family.

"The importance on horseracing to everyday life was put into even sharper context by the tragic death of Clifford's son, 21-year-old Dominic Baker, in a car accident before the Festival. In the grand scheme of things, the fact that a few horses didn't come up to our expectations is pretty much an irrelevance.

"And that is why I was choking back the tears after Salubrious won on Friday. It was such an emotional win, and for all the team to be in the winners' enclosure, Clifford and his family, and mine, with Harry riding the winner, really got to us all.

"Clifford is some man in how he has dealt with the past few weeks. And you don't need to tell the joint-owners of Salubrious, Andy Stewart and David Johnson, just what cruelty life can throw at you either.

"Everyone knows what happened to Andy's son Paul, and how unyielding David has been in his fight against cancer.

"But you won't find them feeling sorry for themselves, and men with a more positive mindset and mental strength, you couldn't wish to meet. So you won't find me feeling downbeat. After all, we have had some fantastic Festivals in the past and no doubt will do so in the future."