Grand National Winner Nick Rockett Eyes Comeback Under Willie Mullins

Nearly a year without a competitive start has done nothing to dim the ambition surrounding Nick Rockett. The nine-year-old, who shocked Aintree in April 2025 at 33/1 under Patrick Mullins, is set to line up in the Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase at Down Royal on Tuesday, a qualifying run that would clear the final administrative hurdle between him and a Grand National title defence next month.

The rule is straightforward: to be eligible for this year's Aintree renewal, a horse must have run at least once over fences in the current season. Nick Rockett, last seen galloping to an emotional success for the father-and-son team of Patrick and Willie Mullins in Liverpool, has not appeared since that spring win. The Down Royal entry resolves that problem, though the road to Tuesday was considerably more complicated than connections would have liked.

An over-reach before the John Durkan knocked the preparation sideways. Then came a second interruption just before Christmas. Speaking at the unveiling of the weights last month, Mullins said: "We have no complaints with his weight. We haven't had a clear run with him and he had an over-reach before the John Durkan. He then had a setback just before Christmas, so we're behind where we want to be." He added: "He's back riding and we're hoping to get a run into him before Aintree, so we're hoping to find a race for him somewhere. We've no plan for him yet, but we should get him there, all being well."

Those setbacks also saw owner Stewart Andrew's horse scratched from the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the six-day stage, making Down Royal the chosen vehicle for his comeback rather than racing's most prestigious staying test.

The Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase is the feature of Down Royal's St Patrick's Day card, and the five-strong field is headlined by a potentially compelling clash with Gordon Elliott's Grade One-winning Gerri Colombe. Roi Mage, trained by Patrick Griffin, Perceval Legallois under Gavin Cromwell, and The Gradual Slope with Sean O'Brien complete the line-up.

Patrick Mullins, whose ride aboard Nick Rockett in the 2025 Thyestes Chase and Bobbyjo Chase preceded their Aintree triumph, remains keen on a reunion at Merseyside. At the weights unveiling Mullins said: "Without a doubt I'd love to ride Nick Rockett again. We've got a good team of jockeys and I don't think there will be any shortage of volunteers to ride our horses."

If Nick Rockett successfully completes Tuesday's assignment, he will head to Aintree carrying 11st 11lb. The weight feels a reasonable reflection of a horse who won three graded races in succession before his 33/1 Grand National upset; the fitness question, after months off the track, is the one that Tuesday afternoon at Down Royal will begin to answer.