Reigning champion Nick Rockett ruled out of Grand National

Nick Rockett will not defend his Randox Grand National crown at Aintree on Saturday after being declared a non-runner on Thursday morning.

Owned by Bradford-based Stewart Andrews, the nine-year-old provided an emotional victory for the father-and-son team of Willie and Patrick Mullins 12 months ago, denying stablemate I Am Maximus – currently favourite for this year’s race.

Nick Rockett has only been seen once since when reappearing at Down Royal last month and there was a shock at declarations on Wednesday morning when last year’s winning jockey switched allegiance to Grangeclare West, leaving Tom Bellamy to receive the surprise call-up aboard the defending champion.

However, Bellamy’s dream National story would barely last 24 hours, with Nick Rockett ruled out of the race having been reported to be coughing.

His absence means the first reserve, Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper, will now come into the race.