Willie Mullins enhanced his chances of pulling off a Grand National hat-trick after winning the big race’s key trial for the 15th time. The Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse has become the key guide to future success in the £1million Aintree prize.
Last year, Nick Rockett won the race before carrying Patrick Mullins to victory in the world-famous horse race and two years ago, the race was captured by I Am Maximus, who won the 2024 Grand National. Champion trainer Mullins had four runners in Saturday’s edition of the Grade 3 race which was full of horses entered in the big race.
Stable jockey Paul Townend picked Grangeclare West, who finished third in the Grand National last year when his stable sent out the 1-2-3.
It proved the right call as Grangeclare West, without a win since 2023, was produced on the run in to power clare of Gerri Colombe and score by five and a half lengths. He was cut to 10-1 second favourite (from 20-1) with I Am Maximus, for the National behind 6-1 favourite Iroko, last year’s fourth.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page
• Nicky Henderson warns Constitution Hill publicity 'could be undone in 10 seconds' if he fell at Cheltenham
• Racing delayed at Kempton after Dan Skelton favourite fatally injured after fall
"Grangeclare West ran a massive race to finish third in last year's National, and will head back to Aintree as one of the market leaders having won the Bobbyjo Chase, the best recent trial for the big race," said Coral's David Stevens.
Townend told RacingTV afterwards: “There was going to be no hiding places but I was on the classy animal. In that ground it was matter of getting a rhythm and keep jumping. I’m glad it worked out.
“I could be confident, I was getting that feel off him. On ratings he was entitled to beat them snugly like that and he did.
“He had to leave a poor run behind him not that long ago but I just looked at it as if I had been on one of the others ones and this lad won, how silly would I look? It’s great when it works out.”
The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday, April 11.
