The Ditcheat handler was behind Willie Mullins at the equivalent point last season before securing his 10th jump trainers' title and has a deficit of just over £130,000 to bridge this time around having fallen behind big rival Nicky Henderson following the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicholls told his Betfair blog: "With so much prize money at stake in the Grand National the race could play a big part in the outcome of the trainers' championship.
"And if a couple of mine finish in the frame it would be a big boost to my chances of retaining the title."
Nicholls is hoping of at least claiming some prize-money from the £1m spectacular, in which he currently has five entries compared to Henderson's one.
Among them is Saphir Du Rheu, who Sam Twiston-Davies has already confirm he will ride in the big one.
Nicholls said of the Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth: "He's in good shape after his excellent show in finishing a close fifth in the Gold Cup.
"He is now 6lb well in at Aintree as that is the amount he has been put up by the handicapper for that run. He was staying on at the finish of the Gold Cup and has finished second in a World Hurdle so stamina should not be an issue though you can never be sure. I'm not surprised Sam has chosen to ride Saphir Du Rheu because he gave him a great spin at the Festival."
Nicholls does admit, however, that Henderson holds serious firepower at the top table with the likes of Buveur D'Air and Might Bite pencilled in for the Aintree meeting after delivering impressive performances at Cheltenham.
"If Nicky wins a couple of Grade Ones at Aintree I realise it could be all over," he said.
"But while I am short of Grade One contenders I have loads of horses ready to run who will enjoy the better spring ground and we will keep chipping away while we are still competitive.
"I was in much the same position a year ago chasing Willie Mullins. Plenty of pundits wrote off my chances then but with Team Ditcheat finishing the season with a flourish I managed to edge ahead again in the nick of time.
"You can be sure I will keep trying while it is mathematically possible to catch Nicky and our duel will be played out in the best of humour because we are good mates. Let's get it on."
