A national institution

The Bagenalstown, Co Carlow base of Willie Mullins hosted Aintree Grand National sponsors John Smith’s annual stable visit yesterday. Pat Keane was there.

IT is almost traditional now for the sponsors’ visit to the stable of the Aintree Grand National winner to take place in Ireland, because Mullins’ Hedgehunter’s success last April followed hot on the heels of relatively recent victories for other Irish trainers, Jimmy Mangan, Ted Walsh and Tommy Carberry.

Hedgehunter, a bit like the greatest Liverpool horse of all, Red Rum, threatens to become a standing dish at the world’s most spectacular National Hunt race.