Assessing Willie Mullins’ contingent of jockeys for the Grand National

Horse Racing

Burrows Saint and Ruby Walsh jump the last to win the Boylesports Irish Grand National from stable companions ISLEOFHOPENDREAMS and NACAPELLA BOURGEOIS.during day two of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival at Firehouse Racecourse, Ratoath

Racing365
March 16, 2026 12:01 am

Irish maestro Willie Mullins is seeking a third consecutive victory in the Grand National, and with Grand National odds already reflecting the strength of his hand, it is easy to see why he is so heavily fancied to make history at Aintree on April 11.

At the time of writing, he still holds a remarkable 11 entries. Not all will make the cut, of course, but with five of the first seven home 12 months ago, he will once again field an incredibly strong team in the Aintree showpiece.

With that comes the need for a solid contingent of jockeys. Here is a look at who he could utilise and with which horse.

Paul Townend

The most obvious starting point is stable jockey Paul Townend. The pair have won almost every major prize together, including four Cheltenham Gold Cup successes, and they combined to land the Grand National in 2024 with I Am Maximus.

Townend was a gallant second on the 10-year-old last year, and the pair will again attempt to defy the burden of top weight this spring. He has not been aboard with I Am Maximus in any of his three runs this season, but a return for the National feels like the natural conclusion to what has been a remarkable Aintree partnership.

Brian Hayes

Brian Hayes picks up a fair amount of spare rides for Mullins, but Grangeclare West is far from a third or fourth-string assignment. The West Cork native has partnered the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding in seven of his last eight outings, including a highly creditable third from 33/1 in last year’s National.

Grangeclare West is a much more fancied proposition this time around, with a current price of around 12/1 after winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse with Townend in the saddle. Hayes is expected to reclaim the ride at Aintree and will be partnering a horse with a genuine each-way chance.

Patrick Mullins

The Mullins family made history at Aintree last year, as Patrick rode the winner, Nick Rockett, for his father Willie. It was the first time a father-and-son trainer and jockey combination had ever won the Grand National, and it may not be replicated for a very long time.

Patrick, who is an amateur jockey by licence and also assistant trainer at Closutton, will most likely partner the defending champion once again. Nick Rockett has not had a run since his famous victory, however, and at 28/1 he faces a stiff task to retain his crown. As Patrick himself has acknowledged, it is far from ideal preparation, but connections will be hoping the freshness works in his favour come April.

Danny Mullins

Nephew of Willie, Danny Mullins has won the Scottish National and the Kerry National for his uncle, and the Grand National will undoubtedly sit at the top of his list, particularly after watching his cousin win it 12 months ago.

He was unseated by Captain Cody in the National Hunt Cup at Cheltenham last year, so he could renew that partnership with the current 25/1 shot, or pick up something further down the pecking order, such as 40/1 outsider Quai De Bourbon, depending on how the jockey puzzle fits together in the final weeks of preparation.

Harry Cobden

Harry Cobden is a potential addition to Mullins’ riding team for the 2026 Grand National. The former British Champion Jockey won the Scottish Grand National on Captain Cody last year and has since taken on more rides for the Closutton yard, including replacing Patrick on Anzadam in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. Removing his own son from a ride is a clear signal of how highly Mullins rates Cobden as a jockey.

That said, the pull of JP McManus is significant. The Irish billionaire fields multiple runners in the National, including I Am Maximus, and will need quality jockeys, too. With Cobden officially becoming McManus’s retained rider at the end of the current campaign in May, it seems more likely that he will be found in the famous green and gold silks rather than saddled up for a Mullins-trained horse.