A national institution
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.
In 2004 he was a close third when falling at the last in the National won by Amberleigh House, but returned a year later to produce an immaculate display of jumping and staying power to score by a whopping 14 lengths.
In doing so he gave Ruby Walsh his second success - he also rode Papillon for his father, Ted - in the contest every jockey yearns to win.
Hedgehunter, however, has paid the price for his brilliant performance and is currently rated 16lbs higher by the handicapper.
“I would imagine he will have to carry around 11-12 and the statistics and the history of the race are not in our favour,” said Mullins. “It is a long time since a horse won two Nationals in-a-row.
“I won’t be trying to protect his handicap mark this time round, I don’t think there is any point. He will start off over hurdles and then it will be the Lexus at Leopardstown at Christmas.
“After that he will go for the Hennessy at Leopardstown and will be entered in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The handicapper certainly now thinks he is Gold Cup class.
“But his main aim will be the National. He will have a lot of weight to carry, but we know he loves the place.
“He had a horrible fall last year, but it didn’t affect him. Some horses can jump great round there and then hate it the following year. He is not one of them and I think is the type who can go back year after year.’
David Casey rode the horse last year and Mullins was loud in praise of his contribution. “David gave tremendous input when he, Ruby and I discussed tactics. We came up with a plan and then it was up to Ruby to carry it out.” Mullins offered an insight into having Hedgehunter spot-on for a particular assignment. “He is fantastic at the moment, so I don’t think he would be winning looking like that,” he revealed. “He has to be super fit and is no good unless he looks like a greyhound!” Mullins indicated Hedgehunter would be an ideal horse to take to France and that he would love to run him in either the French Champion Hurdle or Grand National.
THIS is a yard which is chockful of talent, much of it untapped as yet, with Our Ben and Missed That two of the nicest individuals for the future.
Our Ben’s best effort last season came at the Cheltenham Festival when he finished with a real flourish to take third behind No Refuge and Racing Demon in the SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle.
“Hopefully, he will be one of our top-rank novice chasers,” said Mullins. “The way he jumped hurdles had ‘chaser written all over him and he seems to stay all day. He looks a real SunAlliance horse.
“He has been very, very good schooling and will be running soon. I just want Ruby to be available to ride him.”
Missed That, winner of the Wetherbys’ Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, is set, just like Florida Pearl, to be launched straight over fences.
“I want to run him at Thurles on Thursday week, but suppose he will be balloted out,” said Mullins. “He will be well entered up over the next two or three weeks and will run wherever Ruby can ride.
“I will try to make an Arkle horse out of him, but won’t be disappointed if we have to go for the SunAlliance instead. He is a horse with potential, has plenty gears and I’m hopeful will transfer his ability to chasing.”
High class Sadlers Wings, absent since May of last year, is on the Champion Hurdle trail. “If he stays right he will be a Champion Hurdle prospect,” commented Mullins.
“On his best days he is very good, but I sometimes wonder if he leaves his race behind in the parade ring. He is older now and more experienced and, hopefully, we can get him to settle down before his races.”
Make a note of Alexander Taipan, an inmate the trainer clearly rates as one of his best. Winner of his bumper in May, he ran promisingly first time over flights when runner-up to Coalition at Down Royal.
“I am aiming him for the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse and don’t know if he will have a run in the meantime,” said Mullins. “The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is the plan.”
Mister Hight, already favourite in many lists for Cheltenham’s Triumph Hurdle, is set to start off over jumps at Thurles.
“I’m looking forward to him going hurdling,” admitted Mullins. “He handled soft ground very well when winning at Listowel, Navan and Leopardstown and I’m hoping will develop into a Triumph horse.”
The likes of Major Vernon and Homer Wells are expected to make their marks in novices ’chases in the coming months and there is a wealth of youngsters coming through.
Those for the short list include Alexander Buffet, closely related to Alexander Banquet, point-to-point winner Ballytrim, closely related to Jack High, Hollywood Law, by Zaffaran, Our Matti, by Supreme Leader, Black Harry, by Flemensfirth, and General Idea’s half-brother, Irish Invader, by Bob Back.
