Willie Mullins’ Grand National jockey bookings revealed but horse he ‘really likes’ missing from squad

WILLIE MULLINS' Grand National jockey bookings have seemingly been revealed by son Patrick.

But the horse the trainer ‘really likes' for the £1million race was mysteriously missing from the squad Patrick named.

Mullins' No1 rider Paul Townend is all but certain to ride defending champion I Am Maximus.

The JP McManus-owned superstar has looked pretty ropey this season, being pulled up in the Savills Chase at Christmas before getting well beaten in the Irish Gold Cup last month.

While obviously prep runs for Aintree, he was then pulled from his intended run in the Bobbyjo Chase on February 22 due to an infection.

Mullins is a master at getting horses race-fit, though, so expect the 8-1 chance to arrive in top shape.

Interestingly, Patrick nominated himself for the ride on the hugely promising Nick Rockett.

A winner of his past two starts, Mullins was visibly emotional when he claimed the Bobbyjo on his most recent run.

Revealing who he thinks will run where, Patrick told At The Races: “I imagine Paul will ride I Am Maximus – and they've got a good few others there.

“Danny (Mullins) has ridden Minella Cocooner and won the bet365 Gold Cup with him.

“Brian Hayes got a good spin with Grangeclare West in the Irish Gold Cup – so I'm going to put my name in the hat for Nick Rockett.

“Whether it comes out or not is another thing.

“He won two of the big trials in the Thyestes and the Bobbyjo. He's not big. I'd say he'd be the smallest horse in the field but he's got the heart of a lion.

“He'd be a great ride in it.”

The one horse Patrick didn't mention was the intriguing Meetingofthewaters.

Owned by McManus, he was the horse Mullins immediately picked out as one ‘he liked' when the Grand National weights were revealed.

Meetingofthewaters finished seventh in last year's National and was right in it with two fences to go.

He just faded but is a year older and stronger now and, carrying 10st 7lbs this time round, weighted a pound less than last year.

Gold Cup-winning jockey Mark Walsh, who was brilliant on Inothewayurthinkin in the Gold Cup, would be the obvious candidate.

He gets first pick of JP's runners – with Jonjo O'Neill Jnr already down to ride second-fav and fellow McManus horse Iroko.

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