Nick Rockett Withdrawn From Grand National Title Defence With Cough

Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 8:13 am

Updated: April 9, 2026 at 8:17 am

Nick Rockett and Patrick Mullins — File photo dated 05-04-2025 of Nick Rockett ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins winning the Randox Grand National. Nick Rockett will not defend his Randox Grand National crown at Aintree on Saturday after being declared a non-runner on Thursday morning. Issue date: (enter date here). PA Photo. Photo credit should read Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

The 2025 Grand National winner Nick Rockett has been withdrawn from the 2026 edition due to coughing. Pied Piper (New Approach), the first reserve, has been added to the lineup for Saturday's contest at Aintree.

The son of Walk In The Park is trained by Willie Mullins for Stewart and Sadie Andrew.

Willie's son Patrick, who also partnered the gelding to success 12 months ago, said, “It is 72-hour declarations for the Grand National, and we wanted to give him every chance, but he gave a few coughs this morning and that made up our mind with him.

“It is frustrating, but it was a case of everything needed to go right to get him here and, unfortunately, we just didn't get everything go right. He could have run, but we didn't want to do that if he wasn't 110%.

“You need to be 110% to run in a race like the Grand National and, unfortunately, he is not at the moment. We will look at Punchestown now.”