Patrick Mullins won the 2025 Grand National at Aintree on Nick Rockett at 33/1. As an amateur jockey riding in a professional field, he produced one of the most tactically accomplished rides in the race's recent history. On Saturday he rides Road To Home for his father Willie Mullins in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Why Patrick Mullins Riding Matters
Willie Mullins does not send Patrick to ride horses as a courtesy. In every major race where Patrick takes an amateur booking for the yard, there is a reason — either the horse specifically suits an amateur's lighter weight, the race conditions favour a horse ridden by someone who knows the trainer's system intimately, or the booking signals stable confidence that the horse is ready.
Road To Home is Willie Mullins's sole entry in the Scottish National. When a trainer who could enter a battalion of horses chooses to run one — and then books his own son as jockey — that is not a casual decision. Patrick has ridden Road To Home before. He knows the horse. That established partnership reduces the uncertainty of a first-time combination.
Patrick's Jumping Record
Patrick Mullins is arguably the most accomplished amateur National Hunt jockey in the sport's history. His Grand National win in 2025 was built on a masterclass in race-reading — he positioned Nick Rockett perfectly through the field, avoided trouble and produced him to win at exactly the right moment. His record in big-field staying handicap chases over marathon trips is as strong as any professional jockey in the sport.
Road To Home runs over four miles — Patrick's optimal distance profile based on his major wins. The step up from the Kim Muir's three miles two furlongs to Ayr's four miles, which connections believe suits the horse, is a distance Patrick handles better than most.
Road To Home's Form
Second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham behind Ask Brewster — also in Saturday's field. He was ahead of Kim Roque that day — currently the market leader for Saturday. The form connecting Road To Home and Kim Roque directly gives Road To Home a strong each-way claim at a bigger price than the current favourite.
Horse Racing Oracle AI's tip for Saturday is live now at horseracingoracleai.com
Betting involves risk. Please gamble responsibly. Visit BeGambleAware.org.