A lightly-raced novice is setting his sights on the Irish Grand National, with Willie Mullins, who dominated the Cheltenham Festival, leading the charge. Nick Rockett, an unexposed novice, is expected to be the favourite for the prestigious race on April 1.
As the champion trainer aims for his third victory in the richest jumps race in Ireland, and hopes for back-to-back wins following the unexpected triumph of I Am Maximus last year, Nick Rockett has been given a weight of 10st 13lb by handicapper Sandy Shaw. Meanwhile, Gordon Elliott's Galway Plate winner, Ash Tree Meadow, sits at the top of the weight list.
Among the top contenders are three Cheltenham Festival winners: Corbetts Cross (11st 10lb), Inothewayurthinkin (11st 9lb), and Limerick Lace (11st 7lb). However, Mullins, who has kept his plans under wraps, may have found the perfect candidate for victory.