Grand National special with Patrick Mullins and Daryl Jacob!

·48 min·4 clips

Grand National winners Daryl Jacob and Patrick Mullins reveal inside stories from the jockey's room at Aintree.

The episode is structured into three parts, beginning with an introduction from host David Ord at Aintree Racecourse. In part one, Daryl Jacob and Michael Shinners discuss the Grand National meeting's atmosphere and analyze British contenders like Iroko and Jaguar, with Jacob providing detailed physical assessments from stable visits. They also touch on Paul Townend's potential ride choice between I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West. Part two features Phil Turner from Timeform joining Jacob to explore trends, including Irish domination, with Turner noting that Irish trainers have had five of the first six finishers recently. They discuss how fence modifications have changed riding tactics, making the race faster and more like a standard handicap chase. Historical stats are shared, such as the poor record of previous year's placed horses due to weight penalties. Part three includes Patrick Mullins, who recaps his 2025 win on Nick Rockett, describing his nervous mindset during the race. Mullins also previews the Mullins squad for 2026, highlighting horses like Champ Kiely, and discusses the Irish trainers' title race with Dan Skelton. Throughout, themes include jockey experiences, horse form analysis, and the evolution of the Grand National as a competitive handicap.

As heard by us

A room-side Grand National preview shaped by jockey insight, field pressure, and the pull of winning connections.

Set in Aintree's jockeys' room, this Grand National special has the useful feel of people talking close to the action. It moves through the meeting's atmosphere, the reduced field, and the pressure on runners to have enough exposed form to earn a place.

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Why you'd press play

Want the 2026 Grand National from Aintree's jockeys' room, with course experience, field-shape talk, and a sticky-chicken lunch bell?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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