---
title: "2025 Grand National Winner Nick Rockett RULED OUT Of This Year’s Race"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/09/2025-grand-national-winner-nick-rockett-ruled-out-of-this-years-race/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyle Curran"
section: "News"
published: "2026-04-09T13:40:46Z"
modified: "2026-04-09T13:48:33Z"
---

# 2025 Grand National Winner Nick Rockett RULED OUT Of This Year’s Race

**2025 Grand National winner Nick Rockett has been ruled out of this year’s race meaning he won’t be back to defend his crown.**

### Last Year’s Winner Nick Rockett Ruled Out Of 2026 Grand National

In a huge blow for connections, last year’s [Grand National winner](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/07/grand-national-winners-last-20-years-jockeys-trainers-odds/) Nick Rockett has been ruled out of the 2026 renewal.

It was announced on Thursday morning that he has been declared a non-runner due to coughing.

Nick Rockett has struggled to get right this season and only qualified for the race after making his seasonal return a few weeks ago.

With a setback at the start of the season, it seems like Aintree may have taken a toll on the nine-year-old.

He was an impressive winner of last year’s race with Patrick Mullins in the saddle – who at the declaration stage actually jumped ship to Grangeclare West.

This also means that the [Willie Mullins Grand National runners](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/09/willie-mullins-grand-national-runners/) are now down to eight.

Nick Rockett was supposed to be ridden by Tom Bellamy, but after the non-runner news it looks like Bellamy could be without a ride.

However, there’s still a chance he could get a ride in the Grand National.

Marble Sands is set to be partnered by Kielan Woods – but Woods unseated at Fontwell on Wednesday and immediately stood down. He’s in a race against time to recover, so Bellamy may get the call.

#### WATCH: Nick Rockett Wins 2025 Grand National – But WON’T Be Back

[YouTube video player (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/rhiZmFiA72k?si=8hb-YOGLmAE2eLBO)

### Who Will Replace 2025 Grand National Winner Nick Rockett?

With six [Grand National reserves](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/08/2026-aintree-grand-national-reserves/) waiting in the wings to be called into action, Aintree lover Imperial Saint **will now replace Mullins’ charge**.

Pied Piper was originally due to take Nick Rockett’s spot but was found to be lame, so Imperial Saint will now run.

If there are any further non-runners, the order below is how the horses will be drafted in.

- Amirite ([Henry de Bromhead](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/07/how-many-times-has-henry-de-bromhead-won-the-grand-national/))
- Ain’t That A Shame (Tom Ellis)
- Deep Cave (Christian Williams)
- Buddy One (Paul Gilligan)

Also be sure to check out our full 34-horse [Grand National Runners Guide](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/04/09/2026-grand-national-jockey-colours-silks-runners-guide-and-star-ratings/).