Patrick Mullins relishing Nick Rockett reacquaintance

Patrick Mullins is relishing being united with his Grand National hero Nick Rockett when they head to Down Royal to fulfil a key obligation before this year’s visit to Aintree.

The duo combined for a fairytale triumph on Merseyside last year, leaving the jockey’s father and Nick Rockett’s trainer Willie Mullins brimming with pride after emulating other father-and-son double acts to conquer the world’s most famous steeplechase.

With a run over fences this season needed before March 24 to ensure qualification for next month’s Liverpool feature, Nick Rockett will line up for the Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase on his belated reappearance and where Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe will provide stern opposition.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on Nick Rockett,” said Mullins.

“Obviously Gerri Columbe will be hard to beat at the weights and with race-fitness, but a clear round and a good run should leave Nick Rockett spot on for Aintree.”

Gerri Colombe is another with a National entry and his claims for the Aintree marathon increased significantly when chasing home new favourite Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse last month.

That was a much-improved performance from the multiple Grade One winner and former Gold Cup runner-up, who undoubtedly brings plenty of class to the table despite now being 10.

“He ran well in the Bobbyjo and stepped forward lovely from his run in Gowran, so looking forward to it,” Robbie Power, racing manager for owners Robcour, said.

“He was out for a long time and then he was thrown in at the deep end at Leopardstown at Christmas because there were no other options for him. It was a nice run at Gowran over hurdles and he stepped forward again in the Bobbyjo, so this looks a very good opportunity for him.

“Nick Rockett will be very hard to beat. We will see how he will get on, he’s in good form.”

Gavin Cromwell’s Perceval Legallois is also tuning-up for another crack at the Grand National having fallen on the first circuit in 2025, while 14-year-old Roi Mage’s National days are perhaps behind him now, but he is still capable of mixing it at a decent level as shown at Craon last September.

Sean O’Brien’s The Gradual Slope completes the quintet heading to post.