Portugal Colonial - Nick Rockett wins the 'Mullins' Grand National for father and son

Willie Mullins has taken the art of training racehorses to another level but even he was overwhelmed by his achievement which evoked memories of Michael Dickinson training the first five home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Fighting back the tears the Irish training phenomenon said: "It was some result. It is lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to be able to win it is just unbelievable."

Patrick Mullins, an amateur jockey in name only such is his ability, is also making a name for himself as an astute observor as a writer of the sport of kings.

But he too was almost lost for words after denying last year's winner, trained by his dad, I Am Maximus by two and a half lengths.

"I'm too out of breath to say anything. It is incredible," he said.

"I got too good a start and had to take him back all the way but he jumped fantastic.

"It a dream from when I was a kid. When I was a kid I watched videos so this is very special. He (Nick Rockett) is fine - I need a cold bath myself. He's not big but he is brave as a lion."

There was a heartwarming story attached to owner Stewart Andrew as Nick Rockett was the last horse his wife Sadie watched win five days before she died in 2022.

The third horse across the line in this sun-kissed renewal of the race first staged in 1839 was Grangeclare West (33-1), also trained by Mullins.

The 13-2 favourite Iroko muscled in the Mullins' monopoly to take fourth, ahead of MeetingoftheWaters (Mullins), Senior Chief (Henry de Bromhead) and Mullins' Minella Cocooner,

F.Cardoso--PC