Grand National 2026: Defending Champion Nick Rockett Withdrawn

Defending champion Nick Rockett has been ruled out of Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree after being declared a non-runner due to illness.

The nine-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, was withdrawn on Thursday morning after developing a cough, ending hopes of a historic back-to-back success in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Nick Rockett produced a shock victory in the 2025 renewal, winning at odds of 33/1 under jockey Patrick Mullins, and leading home a remarkable 1-2-3 for the Mullins stable.

The team had been preparing for a title defence this weekend, with Tom Bellamy set to take the ride after Patrick Mullins opted to partner stablemate Grangeclare West. However, the late setback means the reigning champion will not line up, just over 48 hours before the race.

His absence has a significant impact on the make-up of the field, with Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper now expected to take his place among the final runners.

The withdrawal also reshapes the betting market, with 2024 winner I Am Maximus who finished second behind Nick Rockett last year, now being considered as the leading contender for Saturday’s 4:00pm showpiece at Aintree.

Nick Rockett’s late omission means there will be no defending champion in this year’s race, with the sport still waiting for its first back-to-back Grand National winner since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s.

The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday, with a field of 34 runners set to tackle the iconic Aintree fences in one of the highlights of the racing calendar.

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