Tom Bellamy savouring dream National ride aboard Nick Rockett

Tom Bellamy has the chance to cap an already memorable season after receiving the call-up from Willie Mullins for the dream spare ride aboard last year’s winner Nick Rockett in the Randox Grand National.

Owned by Bradford-based Stewart Andrews, last year’s emotional 33-1 winner has been overlooked by the trainer’s son Patrick Mullins in favour of the third from 12 months ago Grangeclare West, leaving Bellamy as the man chosen to fill the void, something the jockey described as “completely out of the blue”.

Explaining his excitement at securing the prized mount for the Aintree showpiece, Bellamy told the Press Association: “It’s a big opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.

“It was completely out the blue, my agent had rang me to say we’ve a sniff of riding one for Willie Mullins.

“I was thinking ‘oh that’s great’ but thought little more of it really and then he rang me again to say I will definitely be on one of them, which was brilliant – and it turned out to be Nick Rockett, it’s great.”

Bellamy’s addition to the Mullins Aintree teamsheet – and aboard such a notable name – is another feather in the cap of the 31-year-old in a standout campaign that has seen him bank a career-best 64 winners to date and get off the mark at the Cheltenham Festival aboard White Noise last month.

Nick Rockett now joins a crack book of rides he can look forward to during Aintree’s Grand National Festival, including both Supreme Novices’ Hurdle fourth Baron Noir and recent Newbury winner Charisma Cat for Alan King.

He is looking forward to getting acquainted with the reigning Grand National hero, even if that will mean coming face-to-face for the first time after receiving his final instructions on Saturday.

“It’s a massive opportunity and it’s been a great year,” continued Bellamy.

“I’ve been constantly trying to get to the next level and you have to hope this isn’t the last time something like this happens for me. It’s very exciting and I’m grateful for everyone who has given me the chance and hopefully I can repay them.

“The reality is it’s a horse race and I won’t do anything different to what I usually do and then we’ll see what happens. I can’t say too much as I don’t know much about the horse myself!

“I’m not sure what will happen in the coming days, but I’ll certainly speak to a few people about him and if they want me to sit on him Friday morning or whatever then we’ll see.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to seeing him, even if it just in the paddock before the race.”