Grand National 2025: Mullins Hoping For Nick Rockett Booking

Patrick Mullins has his sights set on a ride on Nick Rockett in the world's most famous race next Saturday.

The Irish jockey believes that Nick Rockett could have all the tools in his arsenal to run a big race in the Grand National, and the eight-year-old is currently regarded as one of the leading chances at the prices and is available at 16/1.

Paul Townend has been aboard the Willie Mullins runner for his standout wins over fences this season, landing the spoils in both the Thyestes Chase and Bobbyjo Chase.

However, Mullins has his sights set on picking up the ride after admitting to SkySports Racing that he imagines 'Paul will ride I Am Maximus', before putting forward his claims to ride Nick Rockett, stating: "I think he’d be a fantastic ride."

Mullins also admitted that Lossiemouth could be given an entry in the Aintree Hurdle at the National Festival next week.

Speaking to SkySports Racing, the jockey admitted: "I think we have to consider it."

The six-year-old mare firmly got her season back on track with a dominant win in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, beating Jade De Grugy by seven lengths.

She already has form over two and a half miles, beating Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle.

It could be argued that her best performances have come over the distance, meaning that she could be a leading contender to throw down challenges to Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead next week.

All the money for the Grand National to this point has come for Intense Raffles, and trainer Tom Gibney is confident of a big run from his contender.

The seven-year-old was an excellent winner of the Irish Grand National last year, and he will be looking to follow in the footsteps of I Am Maximus, who won the Easter Monday feature 12 months before landing the Aintree showpiece.

Speaking to Racing TV, Gibney said: "I was confident he would run very well, we genuinely would have been very disappointed if he wasn’t there or thereabouts."

There is undoubtedly market confidence behind his chances at Aintree this year, as he is currently as short as 7/1 to win the Grand National.

Latenightpass has been somewhat of an Aintree specialist throughout his career, and he is primed to run in the Topham Chase for the first time next week.

The Tom Ellis-trained runner is no stranger to the National fences after finishing second in the Foxhunters' Chase in 2021, before winning the contest 12 months later.

He was also leading the field in last year's Grand National before the second-last, before his stamina faded to finish 12th.

A fresh target has now been set in the form of the Topham, and the 12-year-old will travel to Aintree in excellent form after taking a fine second behind Stumptown in the Cross Country Chase earlier this month.

Despite that fine run, Latenightpass is currently a big outsider for a second win at Aintree, as he is priced up at 33/1 for the Topham with bet365.