Hedgehunter all set for national repeat

Hedgehunter and Royal Auclair, the first two home in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National, head a maximum field of 40 declared at the final 48-hour stage for tomorrow’s Aintree spectacular.

The 10-year-old, who romped home by 14 lengths in the hands of Ruby Walsh 12 months ago, bids to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum in 1974 to land back-to-back victories in the world’s greatest steeplechase.

He boosted his prospects by finishing second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and trainer Willie Mullins said yesterday: “He’s travelled over well. Ruby (Walsh) rode him this morning and said he felt in good order and I think he is too.

“Some might say he had too hard a race at Cheltenham but there are 70,000 reasons (ie runner-up prize-money) why he didn’t.

“He ran a cracker and it might have knocked the edge off him a bit but I thought he had as much chance of winning the Gold Cup as he does have of winning the National.

“He has improved since last year and I was hoping he would have improved quickly enough for him to win the Irish Hennessy. It has just come later than I thought. I hope he maintains that improvement.

“He’ll have to if he’s going to win. I’m relaxed enough as he won it last year. I’m hoping he comes back safe and sound. Anything other than that is a bonus.”