The Grand National weights for 2026 revealed that Willie Mullins is guaranteed ten runners in this year’s race.
Mullins is responsible for 11 of the top 34, though that number includes the now-retired Appreciate It. Even in his absence, that leaves nearly a third of the field in Closutton hands.
Quai De Bourbon is currently slated to be one of the reserves too, so chances abound for a Mullins hat-trick. Having also won the race with Hedgehunter back in 2005, Mullins would become the joint most successful trainer in the history of the Grand National with a victory this season, equalling the quartet of victories held by Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum to win the race three times in the 1970s, as well as Amberleigh House in 2004.
Both of his most recent champions will be back too. I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett will spearhead the charge at the head of the weights. The former is the sole horse given 11st 12lb, with Nick Rockett one pound lower.
Patrick Mullins hoping he’s in the winners’ saddle again
The 2025 Grand National turned into a stunning Mullins family affair.
As Willie trained the winner for the second season in succession, son Patrick rode the winner for the first time. He thus became the second amateur jockey to ride the winner in the 202s, after Sam Waley-Cohen did so on his final ride aboard Noble Yeats in 2022.
Patrick Mullins is still going strong in the saddle though. As reported by the Daily Mirror, that first winning feeling is something he wants to replicate.
Patrick Mullins eyes Nick Rocket return
“It’s rare that the reality is better than the dream, but that’s what it was,” he said. “Since I’ve been a kid reading books about it and watching black and white videos of the National, it’s always been my dream…It doesn’t get any better than that, unless you can win it a second time maybe.
“Without a doubt I’d love to ride Nick Rockett again. We’ve got a good team of jockeys and I don’t think there will be any shortage of volunteers to ride our horses”
It would be impossible for Patrick Mullins to give up the ride on Nick Rockett after last year. However, he does admit that this season, in which Nick Rockett is yet to run, has not been ideal preparation.
“It’s not an ideal preparation having one run but unfortunately those are the cards that we’ve been dealt with him this year. Maybe going there fresh will help him but it’s not ideal, I don’t think.”
The power of his father’s stable is likely to shine through with or without Nick Rockett though. And Patrick believes a wider team is responsible for a feat they should take pride in.
“It’s testament to the owners for getting us those nice horses and then to the team for keeping them sound long enough to turn them into Grand National horses. I think it’s something to be proud of for sure.”