Hedgehunter On Course For National Repeat Hedgehunter is a general 4-1 favourite to land back-to-back runnings of the John Smith’s Grand National after heading the list of 84 horses left in the Aintree spectacular at the five-day confirmation stage.If Willie Mullins’ charge can come home in front in the four-and-a-half-mile marathon, he will be the first dual winner since the Ginger McCain-trained Red Rum lifted the prize in 1973 and ‘74.The 10-year-old was last seen finishing second in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and he will have to defy joint top-weight of 11st 12lb.Michael Meagher, racing manager to owner Trevor Hemmings, said: “Willie is very happy with him but 4-1 is a ridiculous price.”Hemmings will have a second string to his bow in the shape of Juveigneur, who is trained by Nicky Henderson.The nine-year-old finished second in the William Hill Trophy Chase at Cheltenham on his last start and he will have the benefit of 1996-winning rider Mick Fitzgerald in the plate. “I think Mick rides Juveigneur,” Meagher added. “He ran a great race at Cheltenham.“He’s been round there before in the Topham and Mick said he was just adequate but they schooled him last week he jumped away great so they are happy enough and they are going there positive enough with him.“He was second in the Betfred and he’d have a squeak.”Juveigneur is a 25-1 shot with both Coral and Ladbrokes.? PA Sport
