Thyestes Chase 2026: Can Gowran Park Race Produce Another Grand National Winner?

Horse racing fans didn’t know it at the time, but last year’s Thyestes Chase winner Nick Rockett also went onto win the 2025 Grand National – so will we see another future Aintree winner on Thursday?

Nick Rockett Landed The Thyestes Chase and Grand National in 2025 

Twelve months ago, the Willie Mullins-trained NICK ROCKETT landed this week’s Thyestes Chase by 2 1/4 lengths – banking €59k for his owners Stewart and Sadie Andrew.

However, despite their delight – little did they know at that stage their 8yo (at the time) would go onto cement his name on the hall-of-fame in the biggest jumps race in the world – the Grand National.

In between these wins, Nick Rockett also landed the Bobbyjo Chase in late February at Fairyhouse and in the process become the first horse to win all three – the Thyestes, Bobbyjo and the Grand National.

His win in the Thyestes Chase also provided top Irish trainer Willie Mullins with a record extending TENTH success in the Gowran Park race.

WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park

Nick Rockett Went Onto Win The 2025 Grand National at Aintree

Despite winning the 2025 Thyestes Chase as the 9/2 joint-favourite and then the Bobbyjo Chase at the odds-on 5/6 jolly – Nick Rockett was allowed to go off at 33/1 for the 2025 Grand National at Aintree six weeks later.

Some (including the bookies) might have thought going up 11lbs from his Thyestes Chase win and also having 11st 8lbs to carry would spell the end of Nick Rockett’s winning run.

Especially as the Grand National trends point to horses carrying 11st or less (18 of the last 23).

However, with the not-so testing good-to-soft ground helping on the weight front and under a top ride from Patrick Mullins, Nick Rockett defied his odds – winning by 2 1/2 lengths.

With the 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, who is also trained by Willie Mullins, back in second.

Nick Rockett’s win also banked connections £500k and helped Willie Mullins land the British jump trainers championship in 2024/25.

Prior to Nick Rockett winning the Thyestes Chase, the 2024 winner Ain’t That A Shame went onto run sixth in the Grand National that season.

While in recent times, only Hedgehunter (2004) and Numbersixvalverde (2005) were Thyestes Chase winners to also win the National – but their Aintree wins were both in the following seasons.

So – will we see another possible Grand National winner come out of Thursday’s big Gowran Park race?

Thyestes Chase Race Details 2026

📅Date: Thursday 22nd January 2026
⌚Time: 3:30pm
🏇Racecourse: Gowran Park
🔄Trip: 3m 1f
💷Winning Purse: €59,000
📺 TV: RTE2

Six 2026 Thyestes Chase Runners That Could Follow-up In The Grand National

CAPTAIN CODY (Willie Mullins)

Landed the Scottish Grand National last season under Harry Cobden – the new JP McManus jockey – and is also a proven course winner here at Gowran Park.

Won here over hurdles back in January 2024 and is still only aged eight.

The Thyestes Chase trends also tell us that 8 year-olds have won three of the last seven runnings.

He’s also the pick for Mullins number one rider Paul Townend.

Grand National Odds: 20/1

HIGH CLASS HERO (Willie Mullins)

Another Willie Mullins horse that is fancied for the 2026 Thyestes Chase.

This 9yo is lightly-raced over fence, with just five starts (one win) and proved his staying power when a close third in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (3m 4 1/2f) last season.

Meaning he’s sure to be a popular Thyestes Chase tip ahead of the race for many.

Danny Mullins rides.

Grand National Odds: 33/1

ANSWER TO KAYF (Terence O’Brien)

10yo that has only raced 14 times under rules and six times over fences (two wins).

Ran 4th in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and was 11th last season in the Jack Richards there.

Last seen winning the Troytown at Navan in the middle of November and has since been freshened up for his first run here at Gowran Park.

John Shinnick rides.

Grand National Odds: 33/1

JORDANS (Joseph O’Brien)

Trainer Joseph O’Brien has never won either the Thyestes Chase or the Grand National but could have a live chance in both with this 7yo.

Ran fifth to Jagwar in the Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last March

Stamina over this far though 3m 1f, would be the slight unknown, but was runner-up in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in 2025 over this trip.

Phillip Enright rides.

Grand National Odds: 33/1

SPANISH HARLEM (Willie Mullins)

Pulled up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury at the end of November, but before that had won two on the bounce at Punchestown and Listowel.

With his last win coming in the Kerry National.

Is up 11lbs from that win though and was 7th in this last year off 13lbs lower so will need to find something.

Sean Cleary-Farrell rides and claims 7lbs.

Grand National Odds: 33/1

QUAI DE BOURBON (Willie Mullins)

Pulled up in the Troytown last time out at Navan – but is 12lbs better off with the winner Answer To Kayf this time.

Also ran in the 2024 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, when a close third.

Plus, we know he handles Gowran Park – winning here on his only visit at this meeting in January 2025.

Brian Hayes rides.

Grand National Odds: 33/1

Note: All betting odds shown in this page are subject to change

Thyestes Chase Runners and Betting 2026 

Note: Odds are subject to change

Willie Mullins Has Won The Thyestes Chase TEN Times

Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins is the winning-most handler in the history of the Thyestes Chase – with TEN successes.

The Closutton yard fired in their first win back in 2000 with Micko’s Dream, who was ridden by former Grand National-winning jockey Jason Titley.

Mullins has also won the race twice with horses that later won the Grand National – Hedgehunter (2004) and most recently in 2025 with Nick Rockett.

While his On His Own was a double Thyestes Chase winner for Willie Mullins in 2012 and 2014.

Willie Mullins Thyestes Chase Winners