One of nine horses initially declared by Willie Mullins on Wednesday, the signs didn’t look too encouraging when Patrick Mullins opted to partner Grangeclare West instead of his 2025 hero, and on Thursday morning Nick Rockett was officially taken out of the race on account of a self certificate (coughing).
Mullins still has eight runners to call upon, including the 7/1 favourite I Am Maximus, who won in 2024 and was runner-up to his stablemate 12 months ago.
Nick Rockett’s late defection results in the Gordon Elliott-trained Pied Piper, who was first reserve, now getting into the race (Friday 13:00 BST the final cut-off for reserves).