Hedgehunter returns to National acclaim
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old ran out one of the easiest winners of the world’s greatest steeplechase for many a year, justifying favouritism with a 14-length success from Royal Auclair.
And he looked on great terms with himself as he paraded after the fifth race at the Dublin track. His proud trainer arrived back from England in time to see his charge and officials at the course handed out small Irish flags for the crowd to wave as the horse went around the paddock.
“It was always been my dream to win a National,” Mullins said. “I can’t believe the form the horse is in after running four and a half miles yesterday - he looks great.”
Mullins was presented with a bottle of champagne by John O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
Hedgehunter and Mullins went straight from Leopardstown to attend a reception at the Lord Bagnall in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, just up the road from Mullins’ stable.
The gelding would land a £250,000 bonus for connections should he follow up his success in the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown on April 23, for which the sponsors make him a 7-1 chance.
However, the Bagenalstown-based handler warned: “The Betfred might be a bit quick.
“I’m looking at the French Gold Cup (Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris on May 29) as well so we’ll just see time-wise how he recovers.”
Whatever race Mullins decides to go for next with Hedgehunter, the gelding’s main target next season will once again be the world’s greatest steeplechase. He continued: “The plan long-term is to come back to Aintree for another National bid. We’ll definitely aim him at that next year.”
Hedgehunter was realising a life-long dream for millionaire owner Trevor Hemmings, whose vast business empire includes Blackpool Tower.
“To win it is unbelievable and we’re still on a high - we’re still enjoying every moment. I went to sleep at about 2am and woke again at 5am, that’s the extent of the sleep I got!” he told At The Races.
“Ferdy Murphy (trainer of Hemmings’ Europa, who finished 20th) said it was like watching Red Rum again.”
Jonjo O’Neill has revealed that Clan Royal will not run again this season and will be trained specifically for next year’s National. The 10-year-old did not enjoy the best of fortune when second to Amberleigh House in last year’s Aintree spectacular, and it was even worse for the luckless gelding this time around.
One of six runners for owner J P McManus, Clan Royal appeared very fresh on his first outing for 115 days and pulled his way to the front at the Chair (15th). He was tanking along in a clear lead when he was hampered and carried out by a loose horse on the run to Becher’s on the second circuit (22nd).
Clan Royal had been installed the 6-1 favourite with the sponsors for the Betfred but the Jackdaws Castle trainer said: “He’s finished for the season and I hope we can try for next year’s National, although I doubt he’ll go back there for any other race over the big fences.”
