Paul Nicholls can lay his John Smith's Grand National hoodoo to rest as Big Fella Thanks looks primed to claim the Aintree honours.

The four-and-a-half-mile marathon is probably the biggest omission from Nicholls' sparkling record, with Royal Auclair's second place four years ago the best of his 40 previous attempts.

Ditcheat handler Nicholls is again mob-handed this year, with stable jockey Ruby Walsh plumping for favourite My Will, but the leading rider could well have made a spectacular error of judgment. The ante-post market leader does have obvious claims but Big Fella Thanks also has a sterling chance himself, despite technically being a novice.

The seven-year-old scored his first win over fences when landing Doncaster's Skybet Chase in January, but he had previously run well when behind the likes of Cheltenham Festival winner Wichita Lineman earlier in the season.

His 11-length win at Doncaster was truly impressive but enthusiasm was slightly tempered by his subsequent defeat in the Racing Post Chase, although Nicholls made it clear the ground, trip and track conspired against his horse.

Given a break since then, Big Fella Thanks will shoulder 11st 1lb in the National.

Although it is a fair bit of weight, he looks a horse with untapped potential.

Darkness can bag second with Kilbeggan Blade in third, while Zabenz, who has been plying his trade on the point-to-point circuit, looks a possible place-getter at a big price.

Tatenen can round out a profitable day for the Nicholls team with victory in the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase.

He was sent off favourite for the Arkle only to crash out at the third fence but he previously boasted top-class form and can bounce back in style here.

Fiveforthree spent the first half of the season on the sidelines but he can make up for lost time in the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle.

Winner of the Ballymore at last year's Festival, Fiveforthree failed to hit the mark in two quick-fire starts at Punchestown before embarking on his summer break.

Mullins was not satisfied with the grey when he returned after his holiday and he did not feel ready to run until last month when Fiveforthree duly bolted up at Wexford.

He did not beat much that day but he barely came off the bridle and should be better for the outing here.

Cape Tribulation evidently did not see out three miles at Cheltenham but stepping back half a mile in the John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle , he can regain the winning thread.

Malcolm Jefferson's five-year-old won his first two starts over hurdles but came unstuck last time when he just basically ran out of gas.

According To John can claim the John Smith's Handicap Chase while Fushe Jo makes some appeal in the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle.

Lidar can supplement his recent Doncaster win in the John Smith's Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Away from Aintree, Deposer is the choice in Lingfield's freebets.co.uk Grand National Bet – International Trial Stakes while Mister Hardy can notch up a quick double in the bet365.com Handicap at Newcastle.

Woodlark Island can strike in the Grand National Free Bets Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton and Mendo is taken to star in Chepstow's John Smith's Grand National Day Handicap Hurdle.

Rustarix is an obvious choice in the West Lindsey District Council Easter Cup Novices' Chase at Market Rasen on Sunday.

The eight-year-old was twice winner over fences before Christmas but has taken his time to come good since for Alan King.

Comprehensively beaten by a top-class performer in Herecomesthetruth, Rustarix failed to shine when also seen off by Pop at Hereford in February.

He returned to winning form at Huntingdon last month but he made hard of work of it in a two-runner race in which he was officially rated 45lb better than his rival.

However, Rustarix can only beat what is put in front of him and it may well be that run was a bit too close to his Hereford outing.

King has given him a couple of weeks off since and Rustarix should be refreshed for this assignment.