Niche Market is set for his third attempt at the Grand National this year at Aintree as he bids to win the race for the first time for trainer Paul Nicholls.
Champion Trainer Nicholls has surprisingly never won the steeplechase in Merseyside but wasn’t too far away last season as Niche Market finished fifth and completed the course for the first time in his career. 12 months earlier he was forced to pull up on his debut in the race after failing to see out the marathon trip of 4m4f in the race won by Don’t Push It, who gave Tony McCoy his first Grand National win. Those looking at the Grand National betting odds bookmakers are offering will be wondering if he can improve again this time around.
21-year old jockey Harry Skelton has ridden Niche Market in both of his Grand National runs and is expected to be on board once again in April, unless there are any setbacks for either horse or jockey. Skelton is regarded as one of the finest young jockeys around and is being given his fair share of opportunities by Nicholls, who has faith in the young rider.
Skelton rode Niche Market to success in the Irish Grand National in 2009 at Fairyhouse over the trip of 3m5f. It was the youngsters’ first big success of his career and also turned Niche Market into a potential winner of the big race at Aintree for the future.
If Nicholls can win the Grand National this year, he will add the success to his achievements which include wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, King George, Queen Mother Champion Chase, World Hurdle and many other top class races.
It’s been a big season for Nicholls so far, he has managed to reignite the career of Kauto Star who has picked up big race wins in the Betfair Chase and the King George at Kempton.
Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National betting odds, Niche Market, paul nicholls
