Willie Mullins believes Hedgehunter is capable of running another big race in the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday.
Trainer delighted as Walsh commits to former winner
Willie Mullins believes Hedgehunter is capable of running another big race in the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday.
It will be the fifth time the veteran has taken part in the race, the highlight being an impressive victory in 2005 before carrying top weight into second place 12 months later.
Ruby Walsh, aboard for the last three years, is again in the saddle and Mullins is delighted the Irishman has stayed loyal after Paul Nicholls tried to convince him to partner Turko.
"I thought he might ride the other horse but he's elected to ride Hedgehunter. I'm happy as he knows him very well and hopefully it will be a good result,"
said Mullins.
"I think he is coming back to himself and he appears in good form, he worked this morning and Ruby came to ride him.
"He just did a small canter this morning, he jumped 12 fences yesterday and jumped well so he seems in good form and all our preparations are just about finished for Aintree.
"He loves the track and if it keeps drying that will be in his favour, if it rains that will probably favour horses with lighter weights.
"Hedgehunter loves Aintree and hopefully he doesn't get brought down. If he doesn't, I think he is really coming to himself and he should be there or thereabouts turning for home, and after that who knows what will happen."
Mullins also saddles Snowy Morning, who was amongst the favourites before a disappointing run in the Bobbyjo Chase last time out.
"I probably ran him too soon after the Hennessy in Ireland," Mullins told At The Races.
"I wanted to go to the Bobbyjo Chase to get some more experience into him over fences but it was less than a fortnight between them and it probably came a little too soon.
"I'm giving the horse the benefit of the doubt that he might have just been feeling the effects of the Hennessy and that could have accounted for what appeared to be a poor run in the Bobbyjo.
"Any time he has run over fences in Ireland he has jumped well and I think he fits the profile of an Aintree horse. I wouldn't be worried about stamina and he'll have a lot more pace than a few of them.
"But he is really a second-season novice with very little preparation for Aintree because we decided to mind his handicap mark for this race."
