ELL'S BELLS
‘It’s not what I wanted to do’ – Willie Mullins and Bryony Frost spark dramatic Grand National jockey storm
There's a fight on for the top rides
WILLIE MULLINS and Bryony Frost sparked a dramatic Grand National jockey storm - that left Paul Nicholls scrambling desperately for a rider.
Trailblazing jockey Frost had been booked to ride Nicholls' 100-1 outsider Stay Away Fay in the £1m contest this Saturday.
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But she sent him a text saying she had to stay in France, where she is retained rider for top owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
That led to Nicholls quickly snapping up the services of Jonathan Burke, with the legendary Ditcheat handler saying he was 'delighted' to land him.
But that soon turned to dust when Burke got a call offering him the ride on Willie Mullins' big chance Minella Cocooner.
The 16-1 runner is a former bet365 Gold Cup winner who was a close third in last season's Irish Grand National.
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A confirmed stayer and 'spectacular' jumper, Burke admitted he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
But the knock-on effect of that was to leave Nicholls without a jockey yet again.
And he finally had to call on the services of Paul O'Brien, who rides for up-and-coming trainer and former Nicholls assistant Harry Derham.
Jocking off storms are usually seen on the Flat but it's all kicked off ahead of Thursday's final declarations.
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Explaining how it came about, Burke told the : "I didn't have a ride in the race and everything looked closed off.
"But in the space of six hours yesterday it all just turned out.
"Paul called me and said the ride on Stay Away Fay was a goer, which I was delighted about because getting a ride in the race less than a week out is massive.
"I was racing yesterday but my agent messaged me saying there was a problem.
"I rang him and he said David Casey, Willie Mullins' assistant had called up offering me the ride on Minella Cocooner.
"Faced with a dilemma but Minella Cocooner has the better chance.
"It's not what I wanted to do and not how I would have wanted it to go.
"I'm sorry to Paul and Paul's owners but also grateful he offered me the ride.
"But Minella Cocooner has the stronger chance… it's not the way I wanted it to happen but it's the way it has."
The jockey merry-go-round also means it's guesswork who rides Mullins horses in the National.
Paul Townend will be on I Am Maximus while Willie's son Patrick says he wants to ride Nick Rockett.
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Danny Mullins had been expected to be on Minella Cocooner but it looks like he could now ride Meetingofthewaters.
With Burke on Minella Cocooner and Brian Hayes on Grangeclare West that could possibly leave Appreciate It without a rider.
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