Nicholls encourages caution

Paul Nicholls believes every effort will be made to maximise safety in the Grand National.

Neptune Collonges gave the champion trainer his first victory in the world's greatest steeplechase when catching Sunnyhillboy on the line at Aintree, but much of the focus in the aftermath was on the deaths of Synchronised and According To Pete.

"We are always learning and we are going to keep learning and try to improve, anything we can do. I know that Aintree and the British Horseracing Authority will be working hard, trying to come up with some answers. I know anything we can do to improve things will be done," he told Sky Sports News.

"We've just got to have sensible discussions over the next few months and anything we can do to improve things and safety we will."

Nicholls reported Neptune Collonges to be in great form the morning after his epic triumph, adding: "He's in top form. He got in at one o'clock. He ate all his grub up and is as sound as a pound this morning. He's very happy."