Hedgehunter ‘a ridiculous price’

HEDGEHUNTER is a general 4-1 favourite with the English firms, although Irish bookmakers Cashmans and Paddy Power buck the trend with a 5-1 offer, 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.