Grand National hero Nick Rockett is cutting it fine. He’s headed to Down Royal this week to finally secure his qualification for the world’s most famous jumps race—with just seven days left on the clock.
It’s been 346 days since the nine-year-old Grand National winner stormed to victory at Aintree, and he hasn’t been seen on a track since.
The rules are pretty clear: to run in the National, a horse needs at least one start over fences during the current season.
This year, the deadline is March 24th.
For a while there, it looked like Willie Mullins might actually run out of time. But he’s managed to get the gelding back for the 3m2f Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase.
With the Down Royal race on Tuesday 17th March at 3:38pm.
As the National is set to be run on 11th April 2026 – less than a month away.
3:38 – Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase 3m 2f
- Gerri Colombe 10/11
- Nick Rockett 6/4
- Perceval Legallois 13/2
- Roi Mage 50/1
- The Gradual Slope 250/1
Note: Odds are subject to change
Patrick Mullins To Ride Nick Rockett At Down Royal
Patrick Mullins, who blasted home Nick Rockett in the National 12 months ago, is back in the plate too.
Fresh off his first Triumph Hurdle win on Friday at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, the record-breaking amateur is reuniting with the horse that gave him the greatest moment of his career.
That said, he’s realistic about the task at hand.
Down Royal won’t be a walkover. Especially since he has to give 7lb to a horse as classy as Gerri Colombe.
Patrick Mullins said
“I’m really looking forward to getting back on Nick Rockett. He’s actually been in training all season, but he has just had two minor hold-ups which have been badly timed – one around Christmas and one before the John Durkan.”
“It’s going to be difficult to give away weight and race-fitness here, but we just want him to run a competitive race and that should leave him spot-on for another crack at the Grand National, all being well.”
Right now, Nick Rockett is sitting at 28/1 to pull off the first ‘back-to-back’ National win since the legendary Tiger Roll, though his stablemates Grangeclare West and I Am Maximus are currently heading the market.
Trainer Willie Mullins also looks for his third National win on the bounce.
Which is something that’s not been down since Vincent O’Brien won three in the fifties (1953-1955)
Grand National Result 2025
🥇Winner: Nick Rockett (33/1)
🥈 I Am Maximus (7/1)
🥉 Grangeclare West (33/1)
Nick Rockett is a best price of 28/1 (as short as 14/1) to become the first ‘back-to-back’ winner of the National since the legendary Tiger Roll, with stablemates Grangeclare West and I Am Maximus vying for favouritism.
As Willie Mullins also hunts his third straight win in the race and looks to become the first yard to win the race three wins on the bounce since Vincent O’Brien (1953-1955)
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Grand National
Nick Rockett Career In Numbers
- Age 9
- Runs: 13
- Wins: 7
- Chase Runs: 9
- Chase Wins: 4
- Total Prize Money: £641,133
Gerri Colombe To Take On Nick Rockett At Down Royal
He isn’t the only one using this as a springboard, though. Gerri Colombe is also putting the finishing touches on his Aintree prep.
The former Gold Cup runner-up missed most of last season with an injury but has been building momentum with every start this term.
He looked sharp last time out, finishing second to Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo Chase. A race that always seems to point toward National success.
Recent National winners I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025) both won the Bobbyjo Chase before going onto land the Aintree Grand National.
Gordon Elliott, who has won this Down Royal contest five times in the last decade, sounds confident.
“I was delighted with Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse and he’s been coming along nicely all season. He’s getting there with every run and hopefully this will see him take another step forward. He seems to be in great shape at home and everybody is happy.” Said Elliott.
The field is rounded out by the 14-year-old Roi Mage, the 2022 winner who’s still going strong for Patrick Griffin, along with former Paddy Power Chase winner Perceval Legallois and The Gradual Slope.
With the next Grand National scratchings deadline are looming on March 24th.
