Mullins ponders Hedgehunter options
Willie Mullins believes the Betfred Gold Cup might come “a bit quick” for Hedgehunter after the nine-year-old’s brilliant victory in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday.
Hedgehunter would land a £250,000 bonus for connections should he follow his Aintree success up in the Sandown Park feature on April 23, for which the sponsors make him a 7-1 chance behind 6-1 favourite Clan Royal.
“The Betfred might be a bit quick,” said the Irish trainer, still recovering from last night’s celebrations.
“I’m looking at the French Gold Cup (Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris on May 29) as well so we’ll just seem time-wise how he recovers.”
Whatever Mullins decides which race to go for next with Hedgehunter, the gelding’s main target next season will once again be the Grand National.
He continued: “The plan long term is to come back to Aintree for another National bid. We’ll definitely aim him at that next year.”
Ruby Walsh was left in the lead on the 7-1 favourite when the front-running Clan Royal was hampered and carried out by a loose horse at Becher’s (22nd) on the second circuit before drawing readily clear from the second last to beat Royal Auclair by 14 lengths.
“Clan Royal had an awful experience. I didn’t really get a good look at it but Ruby must have been good to avoid all the mayhem,” the Bagenalstown-based handler said.
Hedgehunter has taken his Aintree exertions well and Mullins reported: “He seemed very relaxed in his box after racing.
“He’s good this morning. He seems to have travelled well, he’s a little stiff but other than that he’s good.
“Hedgehunter will go up to Leopardstown to parade this afternoon and then he’ll come home tonight.”
