The Grand National Festival is less than a week away and excitement is mounting ahead of the action at Aintree. Willie Mullins, who secured an extraordinary 1-2-3 in the 2025 renewal, once more holds the advantage with a number of entries.

The Grand National takes place from April 9 to 11, with the showpiece race scheduled for Saturday at 4pm. With the final field of 34 set to be confirmed on Wednesday, April 8, all of the attention is on Mullins as he pursues a historic third successive victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase. Nick Rockett, ridden by Mullins’ son and assistant Patrick, won at Aintree at odds of 33/1 last year, defeating the stable’s 2024 National champion I am Maximus, while Grangeclare West completed the podium. The Closutton handler will now return with a team that features a defending champion, a past victor and a host of unexposed stayers.

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Willie Mullins’ top fancies

Mullins claimed his third victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase last year – 20 years after his first success with Hedgehunter. Despite 2024 winner and 2025 runner-up I Am Maximus being allotted top weight of 11st 12lb, the Mullins camp remains confident. The 69-year-old said in late March: “I Am Maximus will carry top weight and it’s tough, but we had an idea that it would be tough. He likes the track. Sometimes when horses go back a second time, they don’t like it, but he had a good experience last year and I’m hoping that it won’t be a problem.”

Following an impressive display to claim third place last year, Grangeclare West strengthened his credentials by winning the Bobbyjo Chase in late February, a race Mullins saw as the ultimate Aintree trial. Mullins said: “The profile is right in my book and I don’t see why he won’t take to the fences, he’s got plenty of experience and jumps well. I know he can throw in the odd clanger but sometimes those horses can just have a little bit more respect for a new type of fence.”

Addressing defending champion Nick Rockett’s less than ideal preparation in March, Mullins commented: “We haven’t had a clear run with him… he’s back riding and we’re hoping to get a run into him before Aintree. It’s not an ideal preparation having one run but unfortunately those are the cards that we’ve been dealt. Maybe going there fresh will help him.” Patrick added: “Without a doubt I’d love to ride Nick Rockett again. It’s rare that the reality is better than the dream, but that’s what it was [last year].”

Confirmed jockeys

As of Saturday, April 4, several key jockey bookings have been officially confirmed for the Aintree showpiece. Patrick Mullins has all but confirmed he will partner Nick Rockett once more in defence of his crown. Stablemate Lecky Watson will be ridden by Sean O’Keeffe, while Jonjo O’Neill Jr. is confirmed to keep the ride on last year’s fourth-place finisher Iroko for owners JP McManus and the Greenall-Guerriero team.

The JP McManus “green and gold” shuffle has also seen Mark Walsh opt for the seven-year-old Jagwar, following their impressive second in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Meanwhile, the rising star Oscars Brother, trained by Connor King, will be a true family affair as Daniel King has been confirmed for the mount. Further down the weights, John Shinnick is set to maintain his partnership with the progressive Answer to Kayf after their consistent season together.

In the British camp, champion jockey-elect Sean Bowen is confirmed for the Welsh National victor Haiti Couleurs, a horse he has repeatedly described as his best chance of a first National win. Harry Skelton will also be aboard the high-flying mare Panic Attack, who arrives at Aintree in the form of her life after an outstanding campaign. However, one notable absentee from the confirmed roster is Charlie Deutsch; he will no longer partner L’Homme Presse after the horse was officially scratched from the race on April 1 due to a late injury setback.

Current Grand National Odds:

I Am Maximus – 15/2

Favori De Champdou – 33/1

Perceval Legallois – 40/1