Patrick Mullins won the 2025 Grand National on Nick Rockett. He has given up that ride for 2026 and instead partners Grangeclare West. That sentence contains everything you need to understand about the internal hierarchy at the Mullins stable ahead of Saturday's race.
Jockeys who win the Grand National on a horse do not walk away from the ride the following year without reason. Patrick chose Grangeclare West. The defending champion goes to Tom Bellamy. That decision is the clearest possible signal from within the Closutton operation about which horse they rate most highly at the weights.
The Bobbyjo Form
Grangeclare West won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February by five and a half lengths on heavy ground over 3m2f. The Bobbyjo is the most directly relevant Grand National trial run in Ireland. It tests horses over a staying trip on a right-handed track in winter ground conditions. Winning it by five and a half lengths on heavy ground is not a narrow, fortunate result. It is an authoritative performance that told everyone watching exactly what kind of horse this is.
The Bobbyjo winner has a strong record of running competitively at Aintree. The staying evidence it provides over three miles plus on testing ground directly translates to what the Grand National demands. Grangeclare West arrives at Aintree with that evidence confirmed less than eight weeks ago.
Third Last Year
He finished third in the 2025 Grand National. The top three in the previous year's Grand National carry more Aintree-specific evidence than almost any other form reference in the race. Third means he completed the course, handled the National fences under pressure, stayed the trip, and was competitive in the closing stages. That knowledge is now banked. He arrives on Saturday knowing what the fences feel like, knowing how the race develops and knowing he has the stamina reserves to get home.
The Weight
Grangeclare West carries a weight that sits comfortably within the historical winning range for the Grand National. He is not burdened at the top of the handicap like I Am Maximus. He is not carrying minimum weight either. He occupies the productive middle ground where winners consistently emerge.
The Price
Grangeclare West is available at 9/1. For a horse with Aintree third place form, a Bobbyjo win on heavy ground, and the jockey who won the race last year now confirmed in the saddle, 9/1 represents genuine each-way value. The five-place terms mean a top-five finish at 9/1 returns meaningful money from a modest stake.
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