33-1 Nick Rockett WINS the Grand National in fairytale 1-2-3 sweep for Willie Mullins after holding off favourite I Am Maximus in dramatic finish at Aintree

• Patrick Mullins, the son of legendary trainer Willie, guided Nick Rockett to victory
• The 33-1 shot held off a late push from the defending champion I Am Maximus
• Nick Rockett finished strongly to take the crown by two and a half lengths 

By PRESS ASSOCIATION

Amateur rider Patrick Mullins enjoyed his finest hour as he guided Nick Rockett to victory for his father Willie Mullins in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

The Closutton handler had assembled a crack team for the Aintree marathon and as the runners entered the business end, his contenders were dominating the head of proceedings, with I Am Maximus looking in the ideal position to defend his title in the hands of Paul Townend.

However, the burden of top-weight proved too much in the closing stages, as Nick Rockett (33-1) finished full of running, leading home a one-two-three for the champion trainer, who was registering not only back-to-back victories but his third success 20 years after his first with Hedgehunter.

For good measure, Mullins also had the fifth-placed horse in Meetingofthewaters.

Iroko was fourth for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Nick Rockett was clearly travelling strongly coming to the final fence and he galloped away from top weight I Am Maximus to win by two and a half lengths. 

Amateur jockey Patrick Mullins won the Grand National with 33-1 shot Nick Rockett

Nick Rockett finished two and a half lengths clear of the defending champion I Am Maximus

Mullins’ finest hour saw him wrap up a 1-2-3 clean sweep for his father, legendary trainer Willie

There was a further half-length back to Grangeclare West in third, with Iroko taking fourth as the 13-2 favourite.

Patrick Mullins told ITV Racing: ‘I had too good a start and was having to take him back all the way. I was wondering at Canal Turn had I lost too much ground, but he just jumped fantastic.

‘Then I was there too soon and it is a long way from the back of the last with Paul Townend (on I Am Maximus) on my outside.

‘It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, I know it’s a cliche but when I was five or six years old, reading books about the National and watching black and white videos of Red Rum. To put my name there is very special.’ 

Patrick Mullins is the latest in the family to have won the race, with his cousins David and Emmet having won the race, the first-named as a jockey with Rule The World and the second as a trainer with Noble Yeats.

He added: ‘David and Emmet have already won it so I’m level with them, so (cousin) Danny will have to pull his finger out now.’

Nick Rockett was dismounted after the line and the winning rider added: ‘The horse is fine and I wouldn’t mind going for a cold bath now myself.

‘He’s just a brilliant horse. He’d be one of the smallest in the field but he’s as brave as a lion.’

Willie Mullins was notably emotional and added: ‘That was some result. It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it, it’s unbelievable.’

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33-1 Nick Rockett WINS the Grand National in fairytale 1-2-3 sweep for Willie Mullins after holding off favourite I Am Maximus in dramatic finish at Aintree

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