Grand National: Patrick Mullins keen to ride Nick Rockett

Patrick Mullins is eyeing up the ride on Nick Rockett in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old is a major contender for the world’s most famous steeplechase following winter wins in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park and the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

Both of those victories were achieved under Paul Townend, but with Mullins’ stable jockey expected to keep the faith in last year’s National hero I Am Maximus, a plum spare is going begging.

“I’d imagine Paul will ride I Am Maximus and then we have got a good few others there,” Mullins told Sky Sports Racing when paying his first visit to Hexham on Tuesday.

“Danny (Mullins) has often ridden Minella Cocooner and won the bet365 Gold Cup on him, Brian Hayes got a good spin with Grangeclare West in the Irish Gold Cup (finished second to Galopin Des Champs), so I am going to put my name in the hat for Nick Rockett – whether it comes out or not is another thing!

“He won two of the big trials in the Thyestes and the Bobbyjo. He’s not big, I’d say he’ll be the smallest horse in the field, but he’s got the heart of a lion and he’d be a great ride in it.

“You want to be clever and Tiger Roll was small. Whether he takes to it or not, you don’t know, but I think he’d be a fantastic ride.”

How many runners Mullins will field in the supporting races at Aintree next week remains to be seen, but one Closutton star who could be part of the raiding party is top-class mare Lossiemouth.

The grey bagged her second Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago and could now renew rivalry with Christmas Hurdle conqueror Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle.

Mullins added: “I think we’d have to consider it. Entries are later this week and she seems to have come out of Cheltenham well.

“Annie Power went there and put in probably her signature performance in that race and Lossiemouth won the Hatton’s Grace over two and a half earlier in the season at Fairyhouse.

“It’s definitely under consideration, whether we go or not, the decision hasn’t been made just yet, but Willie being Willie, there might be an entry made.

“She didn’t have a hard race in Cheltenham and there is that time period where you could go to Aintree and on to Punchestown again.”

Victory in last year’s National gave Mullins the upper hand in his bid to become the first Irish-based trainer in 70 years to be crowned champion in Britain and he ultimately sealed the title on the final day of the season at Sandown Park.

He appears to have his work cut out in his bid to retain his crown, though, with his son and assistant saying: “I haven’t heard Willie mention it yet, but I think we’re a long way behind this time. We didn’t win any of the feature races in Cheltenham this year, whereas last year we won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup and that made a big difference.

“Then again, if you won the National it’s £500,000, but with Aintree and Cheltenham being a little bit closer this year, it’s maybe not ideal, so I’m not sure we’ll be coming over with quite the same strength in numbers – but never say never.”