Nick Rockett proves an emotional winner of Thyestes Chase

Nick Rockett soared to a poignant success in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

The eight-year-old was one of five runners in the race for Willie Mullins, with a field of 18 assembling for the three-mile-one-furlong Grade Three contest.

Nick Rockett, who was bidding to give his Closutton stable a 10th victory in the race, was the mount of Paul Townend and the 9-2 joint-favourite alongside Gavin Cromwell’s Yeah Man.

Townend took a wide line throughout and into the home straight it was the Cromwell-trained Velvet Elvis who looked to have the most momentum on the other side of the track.

The two horses jumped the penultimate fence in unison before Nick Rockett edged ahead coming into the last, a lead he then lengthened when battling to the line to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Nick Rockett’s odds for the Grand National were cut with Betfair from 33-1 to 20-1 as a result of the win, and from 25-1 to 16-1 for the Ultima at Cheltenham.

The horse runs in the colours of Stewart and Sadie Andrew, the latter having died in 2022 in the same month Nick Rockett made his bumper debut for his new owners.

The victory was therefore an emotional one for her husband, who said: “Sadie was a local lass from Goresbridge, but sadly died in December 2022. She got to see him run in his first bumper just five days before she passed away.

“This horse has been a fantastic servant and to win here means so much more. It gives me an inner feeling of consolement as it’s what Sadie always wanted.

“It would be great to have a runner in the Grand National. He’s honest, he jumps well and he stays so that’s all you can ask for in a National horse.”

Mullins added: “There will be great celebrations in the area tonight as Sadie’s family are all from around here.

“It was a tremendous performance. For me today was the day. You might get a chance to win one big handicap with a horse in a season and what a race to win.

“We’ll probably look towards a National, whether it be an Irish or Aintree.

“When we were growing up the Thyestes was always a National trial. The weights used to come out before the Thyestes that time.”

Townend added: “It has been a lucky race for me and I’m just delighted for Stewart. He has been patient with this horse and I’m glad I stuck with him because I thought there was a big day in him and he has provided me with one today.”