Grand National 2016: Paul Nicholls reveals all about his runners in today's big race

SILVINIACO CONTI

Jockey: Noel Fehily

Odds: 12-1

He’s by the same sire as our 2012 winner, Neptune Collonges, and since day one I’ve thought of him as a stayer. We’ve always ridden him that way, and I think if anything the extra distance will mean that he can travel better for longer. He’s the best horse we’ve ever run in the race and I think he’s on a good weight for a horse that has won two King George VI Chases. He’s really turned a corner since he ran in the race at Christmas, he half-choked there and so we’ve had his palate cauterised and during the time off the sarcoids that have troubled him so long have really cleared up. I thought he was two weeks short of his best, when he won at Ascot, and he’s definitely our main hope.

WONDERFUL CHARM

Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Odds: 50-1

He’s a decent horse – I haven’t run him all winter, because he doesn’t want the ground too soft, and he also goes well fresh. He has carried big weights in his last few runs and, if he takes to the place, he could run very well.

UNIONISTE

Jockey: Nick Scholfield

Odds: 33-1

He’s another son of Dom Alco, the sire of Silviniaco Conti and Neptune Collonges, and I think he’ll run really well. He fell last year, but he wasn’t quite right then – he lost his confidence jumping – and he’s a different horse this time round. He was badly in at the weights with Many Clouds when he ran second at Kelso, and I think if his jumping holds up this time he’ll run tidy. If he could be anywhere near them jumping the third-last, he’ll definitely gallop all the way to the line.

JUST A PAR

Jockey: Sean Bowen

Odds: 50-1

He stays really well, having won one of the top long-distance steeplechases last year. He’s another that hasn’t run all winter, being saved for better ground, and ran very well on his comeback race at Exeter the other day.

ROCKY CREEK

Jockey: Andy Thornton

Odds: 66-1

He’s a very capable horse on his day and finished fifth in the National two years ago. He did run a bit dire last year, I still don’t know why, but if it all falls right he’ll give Andy a good ride. If he was back to his very best, he’d have a chance, but there is a big question mark in my mind.

BLACK THUNDER

Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen

Odds: 66-1

No denying he’s an outsider, but he’s a good staying chaser, and we fancied him for the Welsh National when he unseated. He was bought for £90,000 at auction on Thursday and everyone knows what a good record Sam has over these fences.