Hedgehunter set for Thurles comeback

Hedgehunter, winner of the 2005 Grand National, is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles tomorrow.

Willie Mullins’ 10-year-old was in the form of his life last season and ran War Of Attrition to two and a half lengths in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before running a cracker under top weight in the Grand National.

He was six lengths behind Numbersixvalverde at Aintree but the National will be his aim once more and he will get his season underway in the usual fashion over timber.

However, Hedgehunter’s big-race pilot Ruby Walsh will be on board stable companion Mossy Green, with 5lb claimer Ritchie Kiely coming in for the ride.

“Hedgehunter always seems to need his first run back but hopefully this will leave him spot-on for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas,” said Mullins.

“Mossy Green needed the run last time and should run a big race.”

On a competitive card, Mullins also runs Our Ben who will be taking on Back In Front and Emotional Moment in the Glen Chase over three miles.

The County Carlow handler told www.wpmullins.com: “This is his first run of the season so he might just need it but we would still expect him to run a decent race.”