Champion trainer Paul Nicholls sending strong team to Aintree for Betfred Becher Chase day

Paul Nicholls could be double-handed in both big races over the Crabbies Grand National fences on Betfred Becher Chase day at Aintree this Saturday.

The champion trainer, who has won the Becher three times, has both Just A Par and Mon Parrain among the 28 entries for Saturdays feature race which were headed by Scottish Grand National winner Al Co and last years Becher Chase hero Chance Du Roy.

Mon Parrain has shown his liking for the Grand National fences in the past finishing runner-up in the 2011 Topham Chase. But he was pulled up at Cheltenham on his most recent start and is a 25-1 chance with Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral for Saturdays extended 3m2f contest.

The seven-year-old Just A Par won a Grade Two in his first season in novice company and was an encouraging fifth on his only start so far this campaign in the Listed Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton last month.

Nicholls said: I have got two in each of the races over the Grand National fences this weekend. Both Mon Parrain and Just A Par have been aimed at the Betfred Becher Chase. Just A Par had a run at Wincanton the other day and he could do well in a race like this.

Mon Parrain was a little disappointing at Cheltenham last month but he often needs a run or two to get back to his best. He has jumped round the Grand National course well in the past and the big fences will hopefully spark him up again.

Last years Becher Chase winner Chance Du Roy, who was also sixth in the National itself in April, is currently the market leader with most firms in his bid to land a second victory for the in-form Philip Hobbs stable. The 10-year-old is a best-priced 10-1 with Coral and William Hill. While the Peter Bowen-trained Al Co, who warmed up for his first try over the National fences when last of 11 in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Haydock last month, is a 20-1 chance.

The Jonjo ONeill-trained Burton Port, who unseated Brian Harding at the second fence in last seasons Grand National, could also run in the Becher having been fourth at Aintree over the Mildmay fences on his last start in the Betfred Mobile Veterans Handicap Chase in October.

ONeill said: We are running Burton Port again over the National fences because he exited too early for us to see whether he liked them or not in the Crabbies Grand National.

We want to try him again now over the course rather than wait until next years Crabbies Grand National. He is training well at home and is pleasing me. We will see how he gets on.

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Champion trainer Paul Nicholls sending strong team to Aintree for Betfred Becher Chase day