The Albany Gazette - Nick Rockett flies to victory in magical Mullins Grand National

"To win the Grand National in our world is everything and, to put your son up on a Grand National winner, I can't get any better," said the proud Irish training phenomenon at Aintree.

Patrick Mullins, an amateur rider in name only such is his prowess as a horseman, got a fine leap at the last of the 30 fences to deny stablemate I Am Maximus a second successive National by two and a half lengths.

The third horse across the line in this sun-kissed renewal of the race first staged in 1839 was Grangeclare West (33-1), also trained by Mullins - a new National record.

Only two trainers have come close to that benchmark before, with Fred Withington in 1908 and Henry de Bromhead (2021) training the first two finishers.

For good measure, Mullins was also responsible for the fifth, MeetingoftheWaters and seventh Minella Cocooner in what could be the finest day in a storied career.

Willie Mullins has taken the art of training racehorses to another level but even he was overwhelmed by his achievement which evoked memories of Michael Dickinson's 'famous five' when he trained the first five home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Patrick Mullins, who when not in the saddle is making a name for himself as an acute writer of the sport of kings, was momentarily lost for words.

"I'm too out of breath to say anything. It is incredible," Patrick Mullins said.

"I got too good a start and had to take him back all the way but he jumped fantastic.

"It's a dream from when I was a kid. When I was a kid I watched videos so this is very special. He (Nick Rockett) is fine - I need a cold bath myself. He's not big but he is brave as a lion."

- 'Willie is unbelievable' -

There was a heartwarming story attached to owner Stewart Andrew as Nick Rockett was the last horse his wife Sadie watched win, five days before she died in 2022.

"This was my wife's horse and she's the one who wanted a horse with Willie Mullins," Andrew said.

"Willie is unbelievable and told us we're going to win the Thyestes, the Bobbyjo and then have a crack at Aintree. What can you say? Willie is a gentleman."

On drying ground, the maximum field of 34 runners jumped off to an immaculate start - ahead of them 30 fences, over four miles and two furlongs (6800m), and a place in racing lore.

Broadway Boy led before hitting the deck jumping the Canal Turn on the second circuit. Another to drop out of contention early on was the well-fancied 2024 Irish National winner Intense Raffles.

Paul Townend gradually crept I Am Maximus closer to the leading bunch and over the last it was a duel between him and Nick Rockett, who stayed on stronger up the long straight to the famous finish line where Red Rum, the legendary three-time winner of the National, is buried.

The 16th and last horse to complete the marathon showcase out was Chantry House, trained by Nicky Henderson who unlike Mullins' has still to crack the National puzzle after five decades of trying.

The momentous training feat by Willie Mullins not only left the man himself dazed it also shook up the competition for the British jump trainer's title.

At the start of the day, Dan Skelton looked nailed on to land it, with a £1 million ($1.28 million) lead over his Irish rival.

But after reaching for his calculator the Briton, son of Olympic equestrian Nick Skelton, will find that gap has been reduced to just £137,000 with Mullins planning an all-out attack on Britain's remaining top prizes until the last day of the season.

Mullins said: "This is the summit for me – I don't think anything can be better than this. I never thought it would happen, and here we are. It looks like the British championship might be on again. I think we'll have to have a real go now."

(L.Thomas--TAG)