Nick Rockett storms to victory in Grand National

Nick Rockett won the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday to cap a remarkable day for the Mullin family with his father training the 8/1 winner I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, on board the 33-1 winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase.

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Willie Mullins has taken the art of training racehorses to another level but even he was overwhelmed by the achievement which evoked memories of his late father Paddy Mullins training his first Irish Grand National winner in 1952.

Fighting back the tears the Irish training phenomenon, now the first man in history to train the first three in the National, said: “It was some result. It is lovely to be able to give your own a ride in the National, but to be able to win it is just unbelievable.”

Patrick Mullins, an amateur jockey in name only such is his ability, is also making a name for himself as an astute observer as a writer of the sport of kings.