Hedgehunter for ‘National’ glory

LONDON: Hedgehunter has everything going for him in today’s John Smith’s Grand National and the Irish challenger can make up for a heartbreaking fall at the last fence last year by winning the great race this time. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding put in a superb round of jumping over the daunting fences last season before succumbing to tiredness when still in contention as Amberleigh House galloped on to glory. It was a war of attrition up the run-in and it is impossible to say exactly where Hedgehunter might have finished, but he would certainly have been in amongst the placed horses. He was bowling along and jumping for fun for most of the way, and it may well be that he is ridden with a little more restraint this time as top horseman Ruby Walsh saves a bit for the final stretch.

Mullins has plotted an astute campaign this season, sending Hedgehunter hurdling to keep him ticking over until the National weights came out, after which the nine-year-old was switched back to fences. He showed he was every bit as good as ever by beating the high-class Pizarro a length and a half in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February to advertise his chances for Saturday’s gruelling marathon. Hedgehunter will not mind the ground the way it is now, but if rain causes it to soften up further then that will be no problem either, as he does not mind getting his toe in. If there is a worry it is that he has 11st 1lb, which is quite a burden to be carrying for four and a half miles, but he will turn up primed to the minute and is surely the one they have to beat.

Dangers abound in such a competitive contest and the biggest could be Forest Gunner, on whom Carrie Ford is attempting to become the first woman to win the world’s greatest steeplechase. A lot of hogwash has been spoken and written about the poor record female jockeys have in the National, because the fact is that no woman has ever ridden a horse with a half-decent chance in the race. Make no mistake, this one has a great chance, and it would be no surprise at all if Mrs Ford were to be sharing the front pages with Camilla Parker Bowles come Sunday. Forest Gunner has an impeccable record over the National fences, with two victories from two starts, and put up a lifetime’s best performance last time out when winning at Haydock.

That was the 11-year-old’s first attempt at three and a half miles and he showed no sign of stopping as he galloped on resolutely to account for Double Honour by a length and a half on soft ground. It all points to a big run from the gelding, who should lead home the Cheshire challenge instead of neighbour Amberleigh House, who would not want any more rain and at 13 faces a big task. Another course specialist, Clan Royal, would have a mighty chance if the Jonjo O’Neill stable was firing on all cylinders, but the virus has taken its toll at Jackdaws Castle and he is passed over. Joly Bey is another who could go very well, and trainer Nick Gifford has the right pedigree for the job, his father Josh having sent out Aldaniti for that emotion-filled triumph in 1981.

The eight-year-old was bought for the job and his last run should be ignored as he had to be pulled up by his amateur rider David Dunsdon when his saddle slipped after he was badly hampered. That progressive out-and-out stayer Strong Resolve, attempting to become only the second Scottish-trained winner of the race, is also in with a shout and is at the right end of the handicap. But Hedgehunter gets the vote, with Forest Gunner, Joly Bey and Strong Resolve taken to follow him home. The afternoon’s other major attraction is the Scottish & Newcastle Aintree Hurdle, in which Inglis Drever is taken to make his stamina tell at the expense of perennial bridesmaid Brave Inca in what should be a terrific contest.

SELECTIONS: AINTREE: 8.45 Handy Money; 9.15 Ashley Brook;l 9.50 Fenix; 10.20 Inglis Drever; 11.10 1. HEDGEHUNTER (NAP), 2. Forest Gunner, 3. Joly Bey, 4. Strong Resolve; 11.55 Schuh Shine; 12.30 Glasker Mill.
HEREFORD: 8.50 Cracow; 9.25 Chariot; 9.55 Ziggy Zen; 10.25 Follow The Flow; 10.55 Full House; 11.40 Water King; 12.15 Rosetown.
LINGFIELD: 9.00 Getbuzzin; 9.30 Party Boss; 10.05 Molinia; 10.40 Vortex; 11.30 My Dream; 12.00 My Lilli.
NEWCASTLE: 8.40 Wovoka; 9.10 Nistaki; 9.45 Fair Spin; 10.15 Nero’s Return; 10.50 Communication; 11.35 Elizabethan Age.
DOUBLE: Hedgehunter and Inglis Drever.