Excitement is building at Aintree as the 2026 Grand National edges ever closer, but this year’s race will have a noticeably different feel for fans and punters alike. The reigning champion, Nick Rockett, who etched his name into the history books just twelve months ago, will not be lining up to defend his crown. Instead, a fresh cast of contenders—and a few familiar faces—are set to take on the world’s most famous steeplechase, with the Mullins family once again at the heart of the drama.
Nick Rockett’s absence from this year’s starting line-up is as surprising as it is disappointing for his connections and supporters. On April 9, 2026, the nine-year-old gelding, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by Stewart Andrews, was among the 34 horses confirmed for the big race. But just a day later, news broke that Nick Rockett had been declared a non-runner after being reported to be coughing on the morning of April 10. Patrick Mullins, who steered Nick Rockett to a sensational victory in 2025, explained the difficult decision: “It is 72-hour declarations for the Grand National, and we wanted to give him every chance, but he gave a few coughs this morning and that made up our mind with him. It is frustrating, but it was a case of everything needed to go right to get him here and, unfortunately, we just didn’t get everything go right. He could have run, but we didn’t want to do that if he wasn’t 110 per cent. You need to be 110 per cent to run in a race like the Grand National and, unfortunately, he is not at the moment. We will look at Punchestown now.”
Nick Rockett’s withdrawal means Imperial Saint takes his place in the field, but for Patrick Mullins, the show goes on. The champion amateur jockey, who became the seventh non-professional to win the Grand National since World War II last year, now turns his attention to Grangeclare West. Mullins is candid about the change in plans, but upbeat about his new mount: “I can’t wait to ride Grangeclare West. It’s a pity I’m not getting back aboard Nick Rockett, but this guy is a fantastic substitute. I know people say nowadays your best chance in the race is your first go and Grangeclare West has been around there already, but we know he stays and jumps and likes the track so he should be bang there with a chance. You don’t have to look too far back to see Leighton Aspell won back-to-back Grand Nationals on different horses so it can be done.”
Last year’s race was a family affair for the Mullins clan. Patrick’s father, Willie Mullins, not only trained Nick Rockett but also secured the top three positions in the 2025 Grand National, a remarkable feat by any standard. Willie’s pride in his son’s achievement was evident: “Patrick comes in every morning and runs the whole show. He matches all the horses and the riders every morning and I might come up and change one or two things but Patrick could take over. It just comes natural to him. He’s very precise and concise about things. He knows what to do and when to do it. I am absolutely delighted for him.”
The 2025 victory was especially poignant for Patrick, who reflected, “I had too good a start and was having to take him back all the way. I was wondering at the Canal Turn had I lost too much ground, but he just jumped fantastic. Then I was there too soon and it is a long way from the back of the last with Paul on my outside. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. I know it’s a cliche, but when I was five or six years old, I was reading books about the National and watching black and white videos of Red Rum. To put my name there is very special.”
Despite the fame and glory, Patrick Mullins’ status as an amateur jockey meant he did not receive any of the prize money typically awarded to winning riders—around 8% of the purse, or roughly £40,000. Instead, he joined his cousins David and Emmet in the family’s Grand National winners’ circle, with David having triumphed as a jockey on Rule The World and Emmet as a trainer with Noble Yeats. For Patrick, it’s always been about the love of the sport, not the paycheck.
With Nick Rockett sidelined, the spotlight shines on Grangeclare West and the rest of the formidable Mullins team. Willie Mullins, always a master strategist, sends out an eight-strong squad in pursuit of a historic third consecutive Grand National victory—a feat last accomplished by Vincent O’Brien between 1953 and 1955. Alongside Grangeclare West, the Closutton stable fields Captain Cody, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Lecky Watson, Quai De Bourbon, and Spanish Harlem. Each horse brings its own credentials, but much of the pre-race chatter centers on I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner and last year’s runner-up, who will be partnered once more by Paul Townend.
Townend, a seven-time champion jockey, is sticking with I Am Maximus for the third year running, despite Grangeclare West’s impressive credentials. He explained, “Grangeclare West goes there with a massive chance following his win in the Bobbyjo, and I did give it plenty of thought, but I just couldn’t leave I Am Maximus behind. He gave me one of my greatest days in the saddle here two years ago, and I think he goes there with a great chance of regaining his crown. I’m hoping Aintree will do plenty of watering between now and Saturday, because it was probably just a touch quick for I Am Maximus last year, but the cheekpieces will help him regardless of the ground, and he’s been there and done it before, and I think he can do it again.”
David Casey, Willie Mullins’ trusted lieutenant, agrees with Townend’s decision, stating, “If I had to pick one I’d go with I Am Maximus. He’s had a bit of a stronger preparation this season than he did last time. He missed the Bobbyjo this year, but that was planned, whereas last year we hadn’t intended for him to miss it but he missed a couple of days of work. He won the race in 2024 and was second in it last year, so there’s no doubting that he loves the place and I’d side with him. He carries 11st 12lb but I don’t think weight seems to be as much of an issue now. It’s more about class.”
Willie Mullins himself is optimistic, noting, “He goes there in great form. I think the ground will be fine for him and he’s in great order. I’m very happy with a clear run that he’ll go very close. He’s only a pound higher than when second last year and has a great chance.” On Grangeclare West, Mullins added, “He’s been doing plenty for me at home and likes the track having finished third last year. It could have been a different story had he not made a mistake at the last fence that day and he has an excellent chance under Patrick.”
The 2026 Grand National, set for April 11, promises to be another epic test of stamina and skill. The field will tackle two laps of the iconic Merseyside course, covering a total of 4 miles and 2½ furlongs and leaping 30 fences. Good to soft ground is expected after 2mm of rain overnight, and with over 150,000 spectators descending on Aintree and an estimated 600 million viewers tuning in worldwide, the sense of occasion is palpable. Coverage begins at 12:45 PM, with the race scheduled for a 4 PM start.
As the runners and riders prepare for the off, all eyes will be on the Mullins camp. Can Patrick Mullins repeat his historic feat aboard Grangeclare West? Or will Paul Townend and I Am Maximus reclaim their place atop the Grand National pantheon? With Willie Mullins’ powerful team in the mix, the Closutton maestro could be on the verge of a Grand National hat-trick. The stage is set for another unforgettable chapter at Aintree.