Key takeaways from the Grand National:

• Nick Rockett, a 33-1 outsider, wins the prestigious Grand National at Aintree.
• Patrick Mullins rides Rockett, achieving a sensational 1-2-3 finish for his father, Willie Mullins.
• Last year's champion, I Am Maximus, finishes second, with Grangeclare West in third.
• Victory comes with emotional significance for winning owner Stewart Andrew, whose late wife entrusted Rockett to Mullins.
• Patrick Mullins reflects on the win, fulfilling a lifelong dream from his childhood.

LIVERPOOL, April 5 (Reuters) - In a stunning display of talent and determination, Nick Rockett, a 33-1 shot ridden by Patrick Mullins, clinched victory at the Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree. This race marked an extraordinary moment for the Mullins family, achieving a remarkable 1-2-3 finish with Willie Mullins training not just the winner but also the horses that took second and third places.

Last year's champion, I Am Maximus, crossed the line in second place, closely followed by Grangeclare West in third. The emotional stakes were high as owner Stewart Andrew dedicated the win to his late wife, Sadie, who passed away due to cancer in December 2022, only days after she watched Nick Rockett's first race.

“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,” Willie Mullins expressed in a heartfelt interview with ITV Racing, visibly moved by the occasion. Patrick Mullins echoed the emotional weight of the day, stating, “When I was a kid, I watched videos, so this is very special. He’s not big, but he is brave as a lion.”

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