Grand National 2027 horse previews: Nick Rockett

3AD835B Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett after winning the Randox Grand National on day three of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday April 5, 2025.

The National Hunt season will get going imminently, which means chatter around the 2027 Grand National will start to increase as likely contenders return to competitive action.

We’ll be highlighting the best Grand National horses to follow over the coming months, and our latest preview focuses on a former winner, in the form of Nick Rockett.

Nick Rockett Grand National 2027 Preview

Nick Rockett will always attract attention at Aintree for one obvious reason: he won the Grand National in 2025.

However, there is more to his case for the 2027 race than that single afternoon. The Willie Mullins-trained chaser had been building an increasingly strong staying profile before his Aintree breakthrough, winning two recognised National trials and producing good efforts in other demanding handicaps.

Now approaching 10 years old, the question is whether he can rediscover that level after an interrupted 2025/26 season.

A staying chaser on the rise

Nick Rockett’s route towards Grand National success was a gradual one.

In April 2024, he was sent off favourite for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, another marathon handicap which regularly produces future Aintree contenders. He could finish only seventh behind Intense Raffles, but the fact he was strongly fancied for such a demanding race showed the regard in which his stamina was already held.

Later that month he produced another encouraging staying performance when third in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. After returning the following season, he was also fourth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown before taking a significant step forward.

Thyestes and Bobbyjo wins strengthen the case

Nick Rockett’s 2025 Grand National campaign really gathered momentum at Gowran Park in January.

Carrying a big weight, he won the prestigious Thyestes Handicap Chase over just beyond three miles, staying on strongly to beat Velvet Elvis by 2¼ lengths. The Thyestes has traditionally been regarded as a useful trial for staying chasers, and previous winners include Grand National heroes Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde.

Just four weeks later, Nick Rockett added the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

He beat the previous year’s Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles by three-quarters of a length, despite that rival conceding only 3lb. Willie Mullins described it afterwards as a useful Aintree trial, while Paul Townend highlighted Nick Rockett’s slick jumping and toughness.

That victory was particularly significant because I Am Maximus had won the Bobbyjo before taking the 2024 Grand National.

Grand National glory

Nick Rockett completed the progression at Aintree in April 2025.

Sent off at 33/1 and ridden by Patrick Mullins, he jumped particularly well and stayed on strongly to beat defending champion I Am Maximus by two-and-a-half lengths, with Grangeclare West completing a Willie Mullins-trained 1-2-3.

He carried 11st 8lb, so this was no lightweight handicap success either. For 2027 punters, it provides conclusive evidence that both the Aintree fences and the four-mile-plus distance suit him.

An interrupted title defence

The following season was much less straightforward.

Nick Rockett was slow to come to hand and did not reappear until March 2026, when he finished third behind Gerri Colombe and Roi Mage at Down Royal. Patrick Mullins felt he tired during the race before staying on again late, suggesting the run was primarily needed to improve his fitness.

He was still expected to defend his Grand National crown, but was withdrawn two days before the race after coughing. Connections decided that attempting such a demanding contest when he wasn’t completely right wasn’t worth the risk.

What are the concerns for 2027?

Age and weight are the obvious questions.

Nick Rockett will be 10 in 2027, and his achievements mean the handicapper is unlikely to treat him generously. Winning from 11st 8lb in 2025 showed that he can carry weight, but another big burden naturally makes a second National harder.

Punters will also want to see him enjoy a smoother preparation than he did in 2025/26.

Verdict

Nick Rockett’s appeal goes well beyond simply being a former Grand National winner.

His CV contains strong staying-handicap form, a Thyestes Chase victory, a Bobbyjo Chase success and, ultimately, proof that he can handle everything Aintree asks of a horse.

There are legitimate questions over his age, likely weight and how strongly he returns after an interrupted campaign. However, if Willie Mullins gets him back to something close to his 2025 form, Nick Rockett would remain a very credible 2027 Grand National contender, potentially tempting each-way punters at odds of 33/1.