Grand National 2025 LIVE REACTION: Willie Mullins claims 1-2-3 as Nick Rockett pips I Am Maximus to take stunning victory at Aintree, Broadway Boy in hospital
The 2025 Grand National lived up to expectations as Nick Rockett pipped I Am Maximus at the last to claim a stunning win.
The Willie Mullins horse ridden by his son, Patrick, produced a dream end of the race to drive past last year's winner and claim a win in the National.
But it was a stunning afternoon for Mullins, who claimed a 1-2-3 as Grangeclare West came third as the Irish dominated at Aintree once more.
Saturday, April 5 at Aintree
- 1.20pm - The William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle
- Deep Cave 28/1
- Timmy Tuesday 11/2
- Double Powerful 7/1
- 1.55pm - The Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
- Honesty Policy 5/1
- Regent’s Stroll 9/1
- Funiculi Funicula 12/1
- 2.30pm - The Freebooter Handicap Steeple Chase
- Cruz Control 10/1
- Imperial Saint 11/4
- Erne River 25/1
- 3.05pm - The Ivy Liverpool Hurdle
- Hiddenvalley Lake 12/1
- Strong Leader 5/1
- Jetara 6/1
- 4.00pm - The Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase
- 1st - Nick Rockett
- 2nd - I Am Maximus
- 3rd - Grangeclare West
- 5.00pm - The Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase
- Kalif Du Berlais 15/8
- Brookie
- L'Eau du Sud
- 5.35pm - The Weatherbys NHStallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat
- Green Splendour 10/3
- Destination Dubai
- Koktail Brut 11/2
British Horseracing Authority Statement
The BHA have issued a statement on Broadway Boy and Celebre D'Allen: "Both horses received immediate and extensive treatment by the vets, also calling on the first class facilities and various teams on site.
"This treatment and assessment will continue into the evening.
"More information about safety and welfare at the Grand National meeting can be found on "
Weatherbys Open National Flat Race Results
- Green Splendour 10/3
- Destination Dubai 10/1
- Koktail Brut 11/2
It's those two again! Patrick Mullins on board another winner after taking the Grand National for father and trainer Willie Mullins!
He was all confidence on board the well-backed Green Splendour who cruised into contention and eased to victory over a pushed along and hard ridden Destination Dubai who just couldn't keep up.
Weatherbys Open National Flat Race Odds
It’s time for the lucky last! The final race to come from Aintree for a packed Grand National Day is the 2m1f bumper.
15 runners are set for the challenge where the off time was set for 5.35pm, but will likely get underway at 5.40pm.
And you can find the odds on , which are as follows:
- Le Labo 9/2
- Green Splendour 9/2
- Koktail Brut 5/1
- Scope To Improve 17/2
- Mossy Fen Road 9/1
- BAR 10/1
Broadway Boy update
The seven-year-old has walked onto the horse ambulance and will return to the stables at the course for further assessment.
A very hopeful update after his horrific fall in the Grand National, at the 25th fence. Fingers crossed the horse can recover.
Maghull Chase Results
- Kalif Du Berlais 15/8
- Brookie
- L'Eau du Sud
It's another front-running ride from Harry Cobden for trainer Paul Nicholls!
The five-year-old went away with it in the end despite challenges from the galloping grey and eight-year-old Brookie.
The Nicholls yard absolutely love Aintree!
Sir Alex Ferguson part owns this horse and adds to a few winners and placers over the last month at both Cheltenham Festival and Aintree!
Adding to the likes of Caldwell Potter who asserted his dominance in both festivals, scooping up over £135k in prize money for the former Man United manager and co-owners.
Now they've added another £67,524 to that tally with this promising chaser who barely put a foot wrong the whole way round, very akin to Sans Bruit and Caldwell Potter's performances at Aintree.
Still being assessed
ITV Racing updated viewers a few minutes before going off air at 5pm that both Broadway Boy and Celebre D’Allen were being assessed by veterinary experts.
Celebre D'Allen is confirmed to be okay and was seen walking back into his horse box.
Racing TV confirmed Broadway Boy is still being assessed.
Rider Tom Bellamy has been taken to hospital for further assessment.
Maghull Chase Odds
And breathe. The penultimate race of the Grand National Festival at Aintree is another exciting Grade 1 over 2m this time starring some top chances for British trainers Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton.
The off time is set for 5pm but racing is set to be delayed as Celebre D'Allen was on the course being treated.
Thankfully that horse is now back in his horse box and is okay which is a huge relief, but we still await the news on Broadway Boy.
The Roscon Group Maghull Novices’ Chase sees just six runners battle it out featuring the top-rated grey L’Eau du Sud.
And you can find the odds on , which are as follows:
- L’Eau du Sud 5/4
- Kalif Du Berlais 15/8
- Touch Me Not 9/2
- Special Cadeau 12/1
- Brookie 18/1
Nick Rockett's Story
Owner Stewart Andrew spoke to ITV Racing after the race and explained why this horse is so special: "Nick Rockett wasn't my horse, it was my wife's horse.
"And she wanted a horse in training with Willie [Mullins], she had a holy communion with him. We bumped into him by chance at the Cheltenham sales. And said 'why don't we get Willie to buy a horse?'"
His late wife saw Nick Rockett come fourth at Leopardstown in December and knew he'd run a massive race. And they knew when they got the horse fit that he'd win.
Andrew said he, Willie and Sadie sat down and planned this route out to go and win the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park and then win the Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse, which they did, and have a crack at Aintree [Grand National] which he certainly did!
Grand National viewers worry
Many viewers are taking to social media hoping for an update on Broadway Boy.
The gelding took an awful and shocking fall at the 25th fence in the closing stages of the race having been prominent for much of the race.
It's likely the horse, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, is still being attended to.
But as of now there are no updates on his status, with racing fans desperately hoping he's okay.
ITV Racing updated viewers just moments ago that both Broadway Boy and Celebre D'Allen are being assessed by veterinary experts and hope to provide further updates by the time they come off air at 5pm.
It was revealed that Celebre D'Allen did walk onto the ambulance which is at least more hopeful and encouraging to hear after being treated on the course for some time.
Mullins Magic
The Irish trainer was seen on ITV Racing after the race overcome with joy and emotion but couldn't continue the interview with Matt Chapman and you could see how much it meant, with a poignant win for the owners.
It must be a lot to see not only your horse cross the line, but to also have your son on board the winner.
But especially to do so for Nick Rockett's owner Stewart Andrew, who lost his wife Sadie earlier this year, who had always wanted a horse trained by the Irishman.
She was the one who wanted this horse but was sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer in November and it was all emotions for the connections as this horse wins it for Sadie, just as she wanted.
Grand National 2025 Results
- 1st - Nick Rockett 33/1
- 2nd - I Am Maximus 7/1
- 3rd - Grangeclare West 33/1
- 4th - Iroko 13/2
- 5th - Meetingofthewaters 20/1
- 6th - Senior Chief 40/1
- 7th - Minella Cocooner 18/1
- 8th - Hewick 14/1
- 9th - Minella Indo 20/1
- 10th - Twig 50/1
It's a 1-2-3 for trainer Willie Mullins!
What an outstanding training performance for the Irish trainer.
I Am Maximus is an incredible horse too. To carry top-weight and come through so strongly to challenge for the win.
It's a father and son winner for the National - with Mr Patrick Mullins winning for trainer and father Willie.
Who even has a shout now at being Champion Trainer in Britain!
A late change in the betting too as Iroko was hammered into favouritism from long-time contender, I Am Maximus.
Nick Rockett wins the Grand National!
It's all change at the front!
Nick Rockett has taken the Grand National ahead of big favourite I Am Maximus!
Proper horsemanship
Harry Cobden does a great job after being unseated by the grey Kandoo Kid, to keep hold of the horse to ensure he doesn't go loose!
Out the front
Broadway Boy is still going well out in front to Three Card Brag, Beauport, Hewick, Bravemansgame and a few others still putting in strong early performances.
Can they hold on to their front-running tactics?!
Grey changes
Coko Beach has been pulled up.
Another grey Intense Raffles has been held up right at the back and is also pulling up now.
Only a handful of greys remain.
Prominent Broadway Boy
Broadway Boy leads the field over the Canal Turn with many still going well but they are starting be strung out.
We've also lost Perceval Legallois who unseated rider Mark Walsh, but still 32 still going well.
Progress
All 34 over the first and second fence plain fences with a couple already showing signs it may not be their day including Coko Beach.
Duffle Coat, another grey is the first out of the race though.
They're off!
Your 2025 Grand National is underway!
They make the cavalry-like charge to the first obstacle, a plain fence and the first of 30!
Your favourite for the 2025 Grand National
I Am Maximus looking ready for the Grand National, pictured by Melissa Jones on X (@fillyonform).
The JP McManus-owned horse has been a strong favourite in the odds for some time now, despite being the top-weight horse.
The last top-weighted horse to win was Red Rum. He couldn't could he?!
The jockeys are out for the Grand National!
The horses are ready in the parade ring warming up ahead of the race which is set for the off in just ten minutes!
2025 Grand National Odds
It's still 30 minutes until the Grand National, but with 34 runners to get out warmed up they have to get the horses out early.
And it allows time to really soak up the atmosphere and get ready for the showpiece of jumps racing.
There's strong support still for the JP McManus owned and 2024 victor I Am Maximus.
But the odds on for the 2025 Grand National are:
- I Am Maximus 6/1
- Stumptown 9/1
- Iroko 15/2
- Perceval Legallois 10/1
- Hewick 12/1
- Minella Cocooner 12/1
- Three Card Brag 12/1
- Kandoo Kid 14/1
- Intense Raffles 14/1
- Vanillier 14/1
- 18/1 BAR
Deserved for Hiddenvalley Lake
Winning jockey Darragh O'Keefe believed it was a big training performance that helped this horse win, explaining to ITV Racing after the race: "I must say Henry [De Bromhead] had a great deal to do with this."
He added "Henry came back and said 'just ride him the way you normally do and if he works out, great'.
"We were unsure about the ground but he handled it brilliantly and he travelled into it so well.
"Good jump at the third last and same with the second last, but he stays really well."
The horse was a head second behind Crambo in the Ascot Long Walk Hurdle in December after placing third in this race last year and O'Keefe agreed with ITV Racing presenter that it was well deserved after a couple of strong placings.
Liverpool Hurdle Results
- Hiddenvalley Lake 12/1
- Strong Leader 5/1
- Jetara 6/1
Hiddenvalley Lake takes the Liverpool Hurdle in great style!
Under Darragh O'Keefe for trainer Henry De Bromhead who took things up and cruised home by three lengths!
With six hurdles to go it was Monmiral who continued to lead the field, tracked close by Strong Leader, Jetara and Altobelli.
The Wallpark didn't really look to be enjoying things from the start with a couple of flashes of the tail suggesting something wasn't quite right but still managed to keep up with most of the field.
That said he managed to grab fourth and may make appeal next time out if settling better.
Liverpool Hurdle Odds
The fourth race just ahead of the Grand National Festival on Saturday’s racecard is the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at 3.05pm.
11 runners take on the extended 3m hurdle course for a race that never disappoints.
Starring plenty of Stayers’ Hurdle runners from last month’s Cheltenham Festival, but the key takeaway today is Teahupoo's withdrawal from the race opening it up considerably.
And you can find the odds on , which are as follows:
- Kitzbuhel 5/2
- Strong Leader 10/3
- Home By The Lee 5/1
- The Wallpark 6/1
- 7/1 BAR
Grand National Market Movers
Three Card Brag has seen some support this afternoon going into 12/1 from 22/1 in just a couple of hours on .
The Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old was a smart novice chaser and could well have more to offer stepping up into this level and trip.
If he controls his jumping better then he should stand a great chance, especially under the expert guidance of jockey Sean Bowen.
Another Elliott-trained horse has been backed in too, Fil Dor the grey has gone in from 50/1 this afternoon to now 33/1!
Willie Mullins' Grangeclare West is one of a few to be drifting, from 28/1 this morning to 40/1 now.
Similarly Bravemansgame, a King George VI Chase winner has been tough to support from punters as he's gone from 33/1 out to 50's.
