National ace Hedgehunter retired

HEDGEHUNTER, winner of the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, has been retired.

The 12-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by Trevor Hemmings, also finished runner up in both the Aintree spectacular and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup the following year.

In a career that spanned 40 races and total prize money of nearly £785,000 €(983,000) Hedgehunter lined up at Aintree no less than five times and finished 13th in his career finale last Saturday.