Patrick Mullins: inside track on Willie Mullins' Grand National runners

Patrick Mullins, who made history last year when guiding 33-1 chance Nick Rockett to an emotional success for his father Willie, believes that the Closutton team has a realistic chance of matching – or even surpassing – last April’s 1-2-3-5 in Saturday's Randox Grand National, live on Racing TV. 

The amateur rider’s mount is different this year, as he rides Grangeclare West in the absence of Nick Rockett, who was ruled out of the race earlier this week, but he is hopeful that a third successive win for the yard – which would match the achievement of the great Vincent O’Brien who won the race in 1953, 1954 and 1955 – is very feasible. 

Speaking to Mike Vince, he said: “I think it's as strong a team as we’ve ever had, on paper at least. Obviously, the second [I Am Maximus] and third [Grangeclare West] from last year are back again. And then a couple of dangerous ones down the bottom of the weights. 

“High Class Hero was placed in the bet365 [Gold Cup at Sandown], Captain Cody is a Scottish National winner, and Champ Kiely is a dual Grade One winner. 

“And they're all getting in with nice light weights. We've got all the angles covered, I think.” 

A bad mistake at the final fence stopped Grangeclare West’s momentum in last year’s renewal, with the Cheveley Park-owned runner eventually filling third place, and Patrick is hoping for a smooth run this time around. 

"He'd have been a bit closer all right,” he said. “But he got everything else right through the race and there's always going to be something that's going to go wrong, whether it's at the last fence or the first fence. 

“But I'm delighted to be on him. I think he ran a brilliant trial in the Bobbyjo [Chase at Fairyhouse in February] and obviously he's taken to the track. 

“He's got plenty of weight so I don't have to worry about sweating, and I can't wait. You're a little bit more relaxed in that it's nice to have done it. 

“Ruby [Walsh] won two, Leighton Aspell won two, Derek Fox won two, Davy Russell won two, so it’d be nice to win two and join them.” 

Mullins Snr has used the Bobbyjo Chase as the main prep race, with both I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025) following in the footsteps of Hedgehunter who won both races in 2005, and Patrick believes it will be the key trial once more. 

He said: "That was a real in-depth Bobbyjo. Sometimes something goes and wins at odds-on and it's just no more than an exercise, but that was a real horse race. It was very competitive. And obviously Gerri Colombe came out and franked the form, and Jack Kennedy's chosen him, which says a lot. 

“I think he [Grangeclare West] did benefit from a fantastic ride from Paul [Townend] on the day as he was dropped right out and they maybe went a bit quick in front. But it means he comes here at the top of his game. 

“I've ridden him before and he's a very straightforward ride. Willie was very keen for me to ride him and so you've got to listen to your manager. And look, Leighton Aspell won two Grand Nationals one year after the other on different horses so it can be done.” 

Townend rides I Am Maximus for the third year in a row, having guided the JP McManus-owned horse to a win in 2024 and a runner-up finish last season, and this year’s favourite is the chief danger according to Patrick, for all he thinks stablemates Champ Kiely and Spanish Harlem can outrun their odds. 

He reasoned: “I Am Maximus ran a fantastic race last year. You know, he didn't jump as well as he can, and Paul didn't ride for two weeks after as he was pretty sore riding him. I think there's a few reasons to think that he can improve from last year. And obviously there's no Nick Rockett to worry about this year. 

"I might have chosen Champ Kiely. He’s a dual Grade One winner, lightly raced, and I thought he ran a fantastic race behind Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. 

“Danny [Mullins, who rides Champ Kiely] can maybe join myself, Emmet and David hopefully. 

"[Spanish Harlem] was unlucky in the Thyestes, and as we know, that's one of the best trial races. 

“He also won the Kerry National. Brian Hayes is on him – who obviously got a great spin on Grangeclare West last year. And again, he has a nice weight. So who knows?”