Mullins has Gold in mind for Nick Rockett

Last season’s Grand National hero Nick Rockett could yet develop into a Cheltenham Gold Cup hope, according to his trainer Willie Mullins.

The eight-year-old gave his handler “the highlight of his life” when carrying son Patrick to a famous Aintree victory back in April, shouldering 11st 8lb to see off stablemate and 2024 winner I Am Maximus by two and a half lengths in a famous result that also saw Mullins send out third-placed Grangeclare West.

Mullins believes that effort could now put him in the Gold Cup frame, although a defence of his Aintree title is another viable route this term.

Speaking at a HRI jumps season launch on Wednesday, he said: “He’s quite entitled to go back for the Grand National but I think he deserves a Gold Cup entry.

“I thought his performance last year in the National was very good, he has all the attributes for a Gold Cup entry this year.

“I’ll have to have a chat with Stewart (Andrew), his owner, about which way he’d like to go and the horse will probably tell us during the season after his first few runs.”

Reflecting on his golden moment in April, Mullins added: “I think Nick Rockett winning with Patrick riding him was maybe the highlight of my life, as a father, putting your son up to win a Grand National is huge. Ted Walsh knows all about that, but I got a great kick out of it.”

Nick Rockett is a general 25-1 shot for the Gold Cup at this point, with dual race winner Galopin Des Champs the yard’s leading light again as a 5-1 chance.

The nine-year-old won the Cheltenham highlight in 2023 and 2024 but was eclipsed by Inothewayurthinkin on the big day in March, before bouncing back from that six-length defeat with a wide margin win in the Punchestown Gold Cup to end his campaign.

Despite his defeat, Mullins retains full faith in Galopin Des Champs and expects him to be firmly in the Gold Cup mix again this term.

He said: “I think the Gold Cup will be his aim again. He’s nine so he’s young enough to have another go at the Gold Cup again and be a real potent force.

“He ran really well last year, he was just beaten over the last fence but I think he’s still got enough in him to be a real contender this year.”

Il Etait Temps had just one run last season – dishing out a comprehensive beating to Jonbon in the Celebration Chase at Sandown – and that pair may meet again in Esher in December.

Mullins said: “Il Etait Tempts is going to start out earlier this year, he’s going to go across for the Tingle Creek at Sandown where he won so impressively on the last day of the season this year.

“We might try and get a run into him before that in the Clonmel Oil Chase.

“If that form is proper form he’s going to be a real addition to our top chasing ranks.”

Ballyburn, who was a three-times Grade One scorer over hurdles, could return to the smaller obstacles after his chase campaign petered out following a top-level success at Leopardstown in February.

Mullins said: “We’re looking at going back over hurdles with Ballyburn. He just didn’t really take to chasing and I’m thinking he’d have to really kick up a gear this year, out of novice company into Grade Ones.

“He might be better off sticking to the long-distance hurdle races which might be easier for him.”