Nick Rockett – Can the 2025 Winner Do It Again at Aintree in the 2026 Grand National?
Defending a Grand National title is one of the hardest tasks in racing, yet Nick Rockett returns in 2026 with a profile that suggests he should not be dismissed lightly.
Now a nine-year-old, he combines stamina, experience, and a steady upward curve in form. That alone makes him a serious contender to attempt something that very few horses have managed in the modern era.
Going into the 2025 renewal, most of the focus was on stablemate I Am Maximus and other leading names from the Willie Mullins yard.
Nick Rockett, sent off at 33/1, was not expected to take centre stage. That changed over the course of four miles at Aintree.
Ridden by Patrick Mullins, he was kept in a good position throughout, avoiding trouble and staying within striking distance. As the race developed, he moved into contention at the right time.
A strong jump at the final fence put him in front. When I Am Maximus came to challenge, it looked as though the previous year’s winner might go past. Instead, Nick Rockett found more and held on, winning by two and a half lengths.
The result completed a remarkable 1-2-3 for the Mullins yard, with five of the first seven finishers also trained at Closutton.
Afterward, Mullins highlighted something that is easy to overlook. Nick Rockett is smaller than many of his rivals, but he makes up for it with determination and toughness, qualities that proved decisive in the closing stages.
A Light Campaign Into 2026
The season following a Grand National win can often be quiet, but Nick Rockett has remained in training with a measured approach.
He has had just one run over fences so far in 2026, finishing third at Down Royal Racecourse in March.
It was not a standout performance, but the wider context matters. Ground conditions through much of the season have been testing, and several horses have produced below-par efforts as a result.
That run may be best viewed as a preparatory outing rather than a true reflection of his current level.
In the betting, he is generally priced at around 16/1 and 25/1 to retain his title, a range that reflects both the difficulty of the task and the respect he has earned.
The Story Behind the Horse
Nick Rockett’s success at Aintree carried meaning beyond the result itself.
He runs in the colours of Stewart Andrew and his late wife Sadie Andrew, whose connection to the horse remains central to the story.
Sadie, who grew up in Goresbridge in County Kilkenny, had long wanted to have a horse trained by Willie Mullins. It was her idea to approach him at the Cheltenham Sales, and that decision led to the purchase of Nick Rockett.
Even after her passing in December 2022, the ownership has continued to be listed as Stewart and Sadie Andrew, a reflection of how closely she is linked to the horse’s journey.
There were already signs of something building before the 2025 National. He won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park Racecourse, Sadie’s local track, and followed it up in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
Those wins set the stage for what followed at Aintree, turning a strong season into something far more memorable.
Can He Repeat the Feat?
A year on, it feels less appropriate to describe Nick Rockett’s victory as a surprise.
He has already shown he can handle the distance, the fences, and the pressure of a large field. His run style, staying close to the pace and avoiding trouble, suits the race well.
The Mullins yard continues to dominate this race, and their ability to prepare horses specifically for Aintree is well established.
At nine years old, Nick Rockett is still within the typical age range for winners, and there is little to suggest he has gone backwards since last season.
The only chink in what could be a lauding of his abilities is the fact that last year's winning jockey, Patrick Mullins, has opted to ride Grangeclare West in 2026, with Tom Bellamy hopping into the saddle in a bid to make history.
Does that mean Mullins doesn't think that Nick Rockett is up to the task? Maybe. Or perhaps, being around these horses every single day at home, he is taking his chances on Grangeclare West simply because he can!
What Stands in His Way
Even with those positives, defending a Grand National is a different challenge.
He will carry slightly more weight this time, an extra 3lb, which can make a difference over such a long distance.
Ground conditions will also play a part, though it is generally the same as in 2025, with the groundskeepers at Aintree already watering the course.
However, there is also the broader difficulty of the task. Very few horses have managed to win back-to-back Nationals, with Tiger Roll the most recent example in 2018 and 2019.
The race itself has become deeper in recent years, with stronger fields and more targeted preparation from leading trainers.
A Credible Defence
Despite those challenges, Nick Rockett returns with a profile that is easy to respect.
He may not be the biggest horse in the field or the most eye-catching on paper, but he has already proven he can win this race. He has the experience, the stamina, and the temperament required for Aintree.
Add in the Willie Mullins factor, a trainer who has dominated recent renewals and a preparation that has been kept deliberately light, and it is clear why he remains firmly in the conversation.
Winning a second Grand National is never straightforward.
But for a horse who has already shown he can handle everything the race demands, it would be no surprise to see him involved again when it matters most.
BETFRED
