Hedgehunter Aimed At National Again

Trainer Willie Mullins today reported that last year´s winner Hedgehunter would again be aimed at the John Smith´s Grand National and may take on some of the top staying chasers along the way in races such as Leopardstown´s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and the totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Hedgehunter was still in contention when falling at the last in the 2004 Aintree spectacular but bounced back to take the 2005 John Smith´s Grand National by 14 lengths from Royal Auclair and realise a lifelong ambition for owner Trevor Hemmings.

'The two times he´s been round Aintree he has jumped fantastically and we´re certainly aiming for the National again,' said Mullins. 'I was delighted with his run this year because he´d had a horrible fall on his first visit but he seemed to have wiped that from his memory and went back and relished the jumps.

'We had an unbelievable reaction from people after his John Smith´s Grand National win - I´m sure it´s the same with any National but we had a great response.'

Hedgehunter´s Aintree preparation has included runs over hurdles in the past two seasons and that is again an option this season.

'He has put on a lot of condition and strengthened over the summer but I haven´t made any plans for him so far this season,' continued Mullins.

'But there would be a big possibility that he´d go over hurdles again. Timewise, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February would also be perfect for him and I think he´s entitled to run in any of the top staying chases, he jumps and stays well enough.

'He´d take his chance in the Hennessy and we´ll see where we are after that, but he´d be entered for the Cheltenham Gold Cup as well.'