A leading tipster has backed Patrick Mullins to complete back-to-back Grand National victories, though this time on a different mount.
Mullins, son of legendary trainer Willie, rode 33-1 outsider Nick Rockett to victory in 2025. The top amateur jockey had been expected to ride Nick Rockett again this year before switching to Grangeclare West earlier this week.
Nick Rockett has since been pulled out of the Aintree showpiece. Paddock expert Ken Pitterson, a regular contributor to ITV’s racing coverage, predicted Nick Rockett’s shock win 12 months ago.
Now he is tipping another Willie Mullins-trained horse, Grangeclare West, who is among the favourites for the race at 10-1. Pitterson said: “This year, I like the chances of Grangeclare West. He ran third in the race last year and again the way he’s been trained by Willie Mullins. It looks like he’s been gradually building him up.
“I like the way he won the Bobbyjo Chase, which Nick Rockett won last year on the way to Aintree. The way he’s trained him, he’s getting him to peak at the right time.
“He’s got the same sort of profile as Nick Rockett and if you look back at his previous form, he’s a classy performer.
“He won a Grade 1 as a seven-year-old, so you know he’s got a bit of back class as well. He fits the criteria of a horse I’m looking for going into the National.”
Regarding his second and third picks, Pitterson, who works for William Hill Racing Radio, is anticipating another of the favourites, Panic Attack, along with outsider Gerri Colombe, to put in strong performances.
He said: “I think Panic Attack is an interesting runner. She’s a mare in form and mares at this time of year can be dangerous.
“I love the way she performed when she won the two big races in November – the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup. She’s done something which no other horse has done.
“She’s had a great campaign and the fact she’s a mare on form could be dangerous. You know what [trainer] Dan Skelton can do. The other one I’m interested in is a horse called Gerri Colombe. I saw him as a youngster and he’s just got that build.
“The way he jumps and travels he could be a Grand National horse. He’s not the quickest but he did win a Grade 1 as a younger horse.
“He’s had a few problems last year, he’s come back and again he’s won his last race at Down Royal and he comes in relatively fresh. He has the look of a horse to me who could figure in a Grand National.”
Last-minute Grand National 2026 tickets
The Grand National 2026 is here with the world-famous Aintree racecourse set to host three days of racing and you can still be there be part of it!
Last-minute tickets are still available from The Jockey Club, with VIP and hospitality packages also available from £249 at Seat Unique.
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