Grand National: Nick Rockett leads home famous Mullins 1-2-3

Willie Mullins and son Patrick teamed up for Randox glory with Nick Rockett (33-1) at on Saturday.

It was an incredible race for Mullins Sr as he saddled the first three home, and five of the first seven, to give himself a live chance of retaining his trainers' championship.

I Am Maximus

(7-1), winner of the race last year, was a gallant second under top weight, with Grangeclare West (33-1) in third. Iroko, sent off the13-2 favourite, was first home for the British-trained horses in fourth.

An emotional Mullins Sr could barely speak after the race, fighting back tears live on ITV. "That was some result," he said. "It's lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it, it's unbelievable."

He was capping a remarkable meeting, having also won five Grade One races at the meeting plus the Topham on Friday.

Nick Rockett was clearly travelling strongly coming to the final fence and he galloped away from his stablemate I Am Maximus to win by two and a half lengths.

There was a further half-length back to Grangeclare West in third, with Iroko keeping on for fourth, and the Mullins-trained  Meetingofthewaters taking fifth.

Amateur rider Mullins told ITV Racing moments after winning the race: "I had too good a start and was having to take him back all the way. I was wondering at 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 Townend (on I Am Maximus) 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, reading books about the National and watching black and white videos of Red Rum. To put my name there is very special."

Mullins Jr is the latest in the family to have won the race, with his cousins David and Emmet having won the race, the first-named as a jockey with Rule The World and the second as a trainer with Noble Yeats.

He said: "David and Emmet have already won it so I'm level with them, so (cousin) Danny will have to pull his finger out now."

Nick Rockett was dismounted after the line and the winning rider added: "The horse is fine and I wouldn't mind going for a cold bath now myself.

"He's just a brilliant horse. He'd be one of the smallest in the field but he's as brave as a lion."

More to follow . . .