Nick Rockett goes into this year’s renewal of the Grand National vying to become only the fourth horse in the last 100 years to defend its crown in the Aintree feature.

Reynoldstown (1935 and 1936), Red Rum (1973 and 1974), and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019) have all managed the impressive feat in the marathon contest, but history shows how difficult it is.

Willie Mullins’ chaser prevailed by just over two lengths in 2025, beating the previous year’s winner, I Am Maximus, who had to settle for the runner-up spot.

It was Mullins’ third triumph in the race, helping him to join a small club of trainers to join the hat-trick club.

Bigger Weight Allocation This Year

Nick Rockett prevailed in the 2025 Grand National with 11st 8lb on his back. This year, he has been handed an allocation of 11st 11lb, so he has an extra 3lb to contend with. Only stablemate, I Am Maximus, has a higher allocation, with 11st 12lb.

Those placing a horse racing online bet on Nick Rockett for the 2026 Grand National can get odds of 20/1. Despite the extra weight, he remains at the top end of the betting for the race in Liverpool, with just five rivals ahead of him in the ante-post market.

As the racing results show, Nick Rockett has not featured on the track since his victory last April.

He picked up an injury just before an appearance in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase back in November, while he also wasn’t declared during the festive period due to a setback.

Mullins’ runner has an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, but the Closutton team are not ruling out a run elsewhere in Ireland before their horse makes the trip across the Irish Sea for the race in April.

Willie Mullins Has 10 Runners Guaranteed a Run

The three-time winning trainer has 15 runners entered in this year’s renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase, and 10 of those are guaranteed a run.

I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett are the two highest-rated horses among the entries, while with a mark of 166, Grangeclare West is not far behind.

At odds of 10/1, I Am Maximus is the shortest price of Mullins’ team of runners. After finishing first and second in the 2024 and 2025 renewals of the race, the horse has shown he enjoys the unique test the Grand National presents.

Captain Cody has entered the Grand National mix this year following his success in the Scottish Grand National in 2025. Only seven horses have completed that double, with Earth Summit being the last to achieve it when he won at Aintree in 1998.

Victory in 2026 would see Mullins match the record for the most wins in the race by a trainer. That record is currently shared by Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.

The Irishman also needs a big end to the season if he is to defend his British Trainers’ Championship title. Success in 2025 helped him reduce the deficit he had on Dan Skelton. He currently trails his same rival in the latest standings.

Iroko The Favourite to Go Three Places Better Than 2025

Last year’s fourth-placed horse, Iroko, is the favourite to win the latest renewal of the race. Iroko finished just over seven lengths behind Nick Rockett, in what was his appearance in the Aintree contest.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s runner had a wind-op at the start of the season, and since then, he has produced two positive runs. He was second in a graduation chase at Haydock, chasing home The Jukebox Man on his opening start of the campaign. Then a month later, he prevailed at Ascot, beating Firefox and James Du Berlais.

Another British horse that is looking to dethrone the defending champion in the Grand National is Haiti Couleurs. Rebecca Curtis’ runner won the Welsh version of the race at Chepstow earlier in the campaign.

The eight-year-old chaser also prevailed in the Grade Two Denman Chase at Newbury on his latest start to put him on course for a shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup before heading to Aintree.

Haiti Couleurs will have Champion Jockey Sean Bowen in the saddle when they feature in the Grand National.

Bowen has already ridden over 200 winners this season and is on course to defend his British Jockeys’ Champion title. Victory in the Grand National will be the perfect way for the Welsh rider to cap off what has been an excellent campaign.

Like Bowen, trainer Skelton also has a healthy lead in his bid to win the British Trainers’ Championship this season.

The Lodge Hill trainer is set to saddle Panic Attack in the 4m2f contest. The 10-year-old mare has won back-to-back races at Newbury to put herself in the mix for the spring feature.

The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday, 11th April, and this year’s renewal will be the 178th in the history of the race.

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