Black Thunder earmarked for Grand National by Paul Nicholls

Black Thunder is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the next couple of weeks ahead of a possible crack at the Crabbie's Grand National.

Connections of the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old are keen to have a go at the Aintree spectacular on April 9 and aim to plan his campaign around the world's most famous steeplechase.

Co-owner Barry Fulton said: "He'll be coming out soon.

"He'll go in a couple of the chase races, but I think we'll aim him to get a run in the Grand National this season.

"He's got the right handicap mark to get in, so that's the plan with him at the moment.

"I think's going to put some entries in next week, so he'll be coming out in a week or two."

Though he won just one of his five starts last term, Black Thunder ran several good races in defeat, notably when runner-up in the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot last November and fifth to Many Clouds in the BetBright Cup at Cheltenham in January.