Nick Rockett Withdrawn from Grand National
Patrick Mullins, son of trainer Willie Mullins, rode Nick Rockett to victory in the 2025 Grand National.
However, last year's winner Nick Rockett has been withdrawn from this weekend's Grand National at Aintree. The horse, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, finished two-and-a-half lengths ahead of the 2024 winner I Am Maximus twelve months ago. Nick Rockett has been declared a non-runner after being reported to be coughing.
Nick Rockett was aiming to become only the second back-to-back winner since Red Rum, who was a triple champion in the 1970s.
When the 2026 field was announced on Wednesday, Patrick Mullins chose to ride last year's third-placed horse, Grangeclare West, instead. Tom Bellamy was given the ride on Nick Rockett, which was a surprising decision.
First reserve Pied Piper, trained by three-time winner Gordon Elliott, was offered the spare place in the 34-runner field but will not take up the option due to lameness reported on Thursday.
Imperial Saint, trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, will now be the final runner in the race.
Race Favorites and Trainer Records
I Am Maximus is the 7-1 favourite for the race but faces the challenge of becoming the first top weight to win the Grand National since Red Rum in 1974.
Paul Townend will ride I Am Maximus for the third consecutive year. Townend is one of eight Mullins-trained horses in the field and aims to become the first trainer to win the race three years in a row since Vincent O'Brien achieved the feat between 1953 and 1955.
Townend finished second to the 33-1 outsider Nick Rockett in last year's race, when Mullins-trained horses took the first three positions.
The Grand National is scheduled to start at 16:00 BST on Saturday.
Grand National pinstickers' guide to runners
Grand National: Runners, weights & jockeys for 2026 race
