Nick Rockett made 9-1 second favourite for Grand National after Bobbyjo Chase win over Intense Raffles

It's next stop Aintree for Nick Rockett, who followed in the footsteps of some famous horses to win the Bobbyjo Chase and will now try to emulate the likes of I Am Maximus and Hedgehunter, who went on to land the Grand National on their next start. 

I Am Maximus was a late withdrawal from this year's Bobbyjo with an infection, so Paul Townend switched to Nick Rockett and the pair followed up their Thyestes victory of last month and earned an initial quote of 8-1 (from 14, later eased to 9-1) for the Grand National in the process. 

Connections of the runner-up Intense Raffles will be thrilled, too. Last year's Irish Grand National winner had not shown much over hurdles in two starts at Navan, but he proved how important fences are to him as he made Nick Rockett pull out all the stops to score by three-quarters of a length, despite being rated 10lb inferior and having to give away 3lb. 

It was a superb effort in defeat from Intense Raffles who, not surprisingly, was also slashed for Aintree glory and is now just 10-1 with Paddy Power, having been 14-1 before the race. Both look big players in April. 

Willie Mullins, who was winning the Bobbyjo Chase for an incredible 14th time, was particularly pleased that Nick Rockett was able to bounce back from his tenacious Thyestes triumph so quickly. 

The winning trainer said: "I thought it was a nice performance, beating an Irish National winner in the process, and it was a nice trial for Aintree. I'm very pleased with him. It was tough coming back from the Thyestes only four-and-a-bit weeks before this. That was tough and this should leave him spot on for Aintree.

"They were very tough conditions there and he'll probably take a little while to recover from that but he has the time."

Asked what pleased him most about the display, Mullins replied: "I was very impressed with how slick he jumped – his jumping was excellent.

"We aimed him for the Irish National last year but it didn't work. He's a horse I think has the potential to run well around Aintree. Bobbyjo winners have been lucky around there. We just need to get there and have a bit of luck in running."

Townend was on board I Am Maximus in last year's Grand National and gave him a masterful steer to win the world's most famous jumps race for the first time, but it might be a tricky call for him this year now.

On potential jockey bookings, Mullins said: "We won't have to make any of those choices yet but it would be very hard for Paul to get off last year's winner with the way he handled the track."

Townend was impressed with Nick Rockett, though, and it might not be the most straightforward decision he has ever made.

The winning jockey said: "He's been very good this season. He jumps really slickly and I suppose he was entitled to back up his Thyestes win on ratings, but he had a hard race at Gowran. He's a hardy horse this year. I could see him running well in the National, big time."

For I Am Maximus fans, there was a reasonably upbeat bulletin from Mullins. 

"He'll be all right," the trainer said. "It just happened on the wrong day for him.

"It could be a blessing in disguise for him, not carrying that weight around today on the ground. We won't know until Aintree."

In the absence of I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett was sent off 5-6 favourite and took charge between the final two fences. He looked set for a comfortable victory when sweeping to the front after the second-last, but Intense Raffles had other ideas and fought back to ensure a thrilling climax. 

In truth, Townend always looked to have matters under control, but JJ Slevin got a late tune out of Intense Raffles to make it interesting and the fact he was able to get so close at the line when giving away 3lb makes him an interesting contender for Aintree indeed. Especially on soft ground. 

So, too, is the winner, of course. Nick Rockett added his name to Mullins' teamsheet for Aintree, which is shaping up nicely once again. 

Paul Townend and Katie Murphy with Nick Rockett after winning the Bobbyjo ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Randox Grand National, April 5
Paddy Power: 7 Inothewayurthinkin, 9 Nick Rockett, 10 Intense Raffles, 12 I Am Maximus, Iroko, 16 Stumptown, 20 bar.

Read more . . .

Paddy Power fear huge payout from Fairyhouse double after 8-1 from 200-1 plunge horse wins opener 

'It was really good fun, his jumping was superb' - Katate Dori demolishes Ladbrokes Trophy field under Charlie Deutsch 

'He's got a huge engine' - Tripoli Flyer looks best of the British in Supreme after easy Dovecote win 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.