Willie Mullins won the Grand National with Nick Rockett last year (Image: Getty)
Returning heroes I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett are among the 34 horses declared for the 2026 Grand National this weekend. The pair, both trained by Willie Mullins, won the race in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
As well as the past two winners, Mullins also runs Grangeclare West, who was third last year. Others for Closutton are Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Captain Cody and Quai De Bourbon.
And David Casey, who has worked as Mullins’ assistant since he retired from a successful career as a jockey, has given his view on each of the nine runners his boss has this weekend and singled out the horse he believes has the best chance.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
“If I had to pick one, I’d go with I Am Maximus,” he said via BetSelect. “He’s had a bit of a stronger preparation this year than he did last time.
“He missed the Bobbyjo this year, but that was planned, whereas last year we hadn’t intended for him to miss it, but he missed a couple of days of work. This year he goes in with a much better prep.
“He won the race in 2024 and was second in it last year, so there’s no doubting that he loves the place and I’d side with him. He carries 11st 12lbs, but I don’t think weight seems to be as much of an issue now. It’s more about class now.
“Nick Rockett had everything go well for him last year and Patrick Mullins gave him a great ride, but it hasn’t been his season so far. He missed his run in the John Durkan and at Christmas, but we eventually got him out at Down Royal to get him qualified for the race. It hasn’t been an ideal prep and you’d have to be a bit sceptical of his chances for that reason.”
GRAND NATIONAL 2026: Get your indispensable 48-page guide for just £3.99
Patrick Mullins and Willie Mullins with Nick Rockett (Image: Getty)
Casey continued: “Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus we know will like the conditions because they’ve run so well on better ground there before,” said Casey. “I also think it will benefit the likes of Captain Cody, High Class Hero and Lecky Watson. It will bring them more to the fore.
“They probably haven’t been able to show as much this season because the ground has been so bad in Ireland throughout the winter. I think those three in particular will really be suited by the nicer ground.
“Captain Cody is last year’s Scottish National winner and he won that one nicer ground, so the conditions will definitely suit him. High Class Hero ran a big race at Sandown on nicer ground as well, so those two are really in the same boat.
“You can make a case for all of our nine runners this year. Grangeclare West was third in it last year and has been running well this season. He was a very good winner of the Bobbyjo. Looking back at last year, he was actually very unlucky because he just got it wrong at the last and then stayed on into third. That brings him into the mix as one of our three classier horses.
“Champ Kiely is a Grade 1 winner. He would prefer a bit of softer ground, but he won’t struggle to travel through the race and he’s also a very good jumper. There’s a slight question mark over whether he stays, but if he does, then he’ll be in the mix.
“Spanish Harlem is a bit in-and-out, but on his day he’s a very good horse. He won a Kerry National last September and was set to be a good winner of the Thyestes before unseating at the last. He’s another who’ll like the better ground.
“Quai De Bourbon is one who had the option of the Irish National, which we’re glad we skipped now, given how Emmet’s won. He was third there last year after a tough campaign and he comes here with a lighter campaign and he showed huge improvement in his last run at Leopardstown. I think he’s capable of improving from that, and that should put him in with a chance here.”