Reigning Grand National champion Nick Rockett has been withdrawn from the 2026 race, just over 48 hours before the event. The Willie Mullins-trained horse was declared a non-runner on Thursday morning after a self-certificate for coughing.
Nick Rockett, ridden by Patrick Mullins, won the Grand National last year as an underdog. Following the withdrawal, stablemate I Am Maximus is now the clear favourite for Saturday's race. Patrick Mullins had already switched to ride Grangeclare West, another horse from his father's stable.
Tom Bellamy was initially announced as the replacement jockey for Nick Rockett after Patrick's switch, but his elation was short-lived as the horse was subsequently withdrawn. Speaking about the turn of events, ITV's Matt Chapman described the situation as "extraordinary" and "insane".
Bellamy commented: "It was a bonus ride to pick up anyway and it is what it is. This time yesterday morning I wasn't riding in the Grand National so it's only back to that stage." He added that it had been a brilliant year and hoped it would continue.
Nick Rockett's place in the race has been taken by Gordon Elliott-trained Pied Piper, who has fallen in his last two starts. Willie Mullins still has eight runners in the Grand National, including 2024 champion I Am Maximus, who finished second to Nick Rockett last year.
