Hedgehunter bows out

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, Hedgehunter lined up at Aintree no less than five times and finished 13th in his career finale last Saturday.

Mullins told the Racing Post: “I spoke with Trevor Hemmings this morning and we agreed that now was a good time for Hedgehunter to be retired.

“He seemed to get a knock on the first circuit at Aintree on Saturday, but apart from being a bit stiff around the stifle area, he is otherwise sound.

“He will go to Mr Hemmings’ place in the Isle Of Man to spend his retirement and will be ridden out every day.”