2026 Rising Stars Novices' Chase Tips - Nicholls vs Skelton in Aintree's feature

Formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, Talk To The Man ran out an impressive winner on his stable debut for Dan Skelton last month. Skelton's recruit sauntered to victory on his first start over fences and has since been backed into 15/8 favouritism for this Grade Two.

Paul Nicholls will be represented by one of last season's leading novice hurdlers, Challow Hurdle winner No Drama This End. Nicholls' star missed the break when well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival, but bounced back to claim a low-key victory at Perth to round off a promising novice campaign.

Ben Pauling will be represented by another chasing debutant in Taurus Bay, who, like No Drama This End, struggled in the Turners having finished a very close second to Kripticjim on his previous start. Alan King will hand a chasing debut to Favour And Fortune, who has twice finished third in the premier handicap hurdle held during the Grand National Festival here at Aintree.

Sadly, Gordon Elliott's raider Chanceawetmorning is a non-runner. Cristal D'Estruval and Crystal Island were left out of the contest. The fifth and final entrant is two-time chase winner Off The Jury, who seems more likely to contest a handicap chase here at Aintree on Friday.

Saturday is a big day for Paul Nicholls. The master of Ditcheat has seen several high-profile owners transfer their horses to Dan Skelton since the end of last season, and those that have run for the Champion Trainer have, more often than not, won handsomely.

Talk To The Man was one of those. Harry Skelton's mount romped to victory on his chasing debut at Worcester, beating the wayward Klimt Madrik by four easy lengths. NO DRAMA THIS END (6/4) has form with that rival, having beaten Klimt Madrik by just over a length in the Challow Hurdle last December.

Genuine excuses can be made for No Drama This End's weak performance in the Turners. Harry Cobden's mount was sent off as the 5/2 favourite for that Grade One, but was caught flat-footed by the flag start, was squeezed back to last place as the field set out on their second circuit, and was pulled up before two out having shown no signs of making any progress.

No Drama This End had to work harder than many expected to see off Tormund Giantsbane at Perth. Nicholls' grey survived a couple of scares along the way, but found enough when asked for an effort after the last to claim a three-length success.

Talk To The Man has race fitness on his side, and the momentum that's coursing through Dan Skelton's operation cannot be underestimated. Yet, everything about No Drama This End screams staying chaser, and I don't think Nicholls would throw him straight into a Grade Two if he wasn't pleased with how his stable star was jumping fences at home. Talk To The Man is a worthy opponent, but No Drama This End remains the class act in the contest, and I'll be cheering Sam Twiston-Davies' mount home in Saturday's main event.