Hedgehunter was cut to 14/1 by Paddy Power for the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree after a front-running success in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was having his first run over fences since falling at the last in the Aintree spectacular last April, although he was only confirmed the length and a half winner from Pizarro after a lengthy stewards enquiry. David Casey's mount looked set for a comfortable victory when drawing away from the 11/10 favourite after three out but, as the pair both tired in the closing stages, Pizarro had to be switched left for a clear run.
'I haven't even schooled him over fences since the National but I think it's like a bike, they can either do it or they can't! I'm delighted with that and he may go straight for the National. He ran a cracker there last year but you need alot of luck in running,' said Mullins.
Edward O'Grady was 'very disappointed' with Pizarro but still intends running his charge in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. However O'Grady faired much better elsewhere on the card with a double via Ned Kelly and General Montcalm.
Ned Kelly is on course for the Arkle Trophy at the Festival after making all to easily justify odds of 1/3 in the beginners chase. The injury-prone gelding, recording his first win since taking the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown three years ago, jumped well for Davy Russell, and came home unchallenged 20 lengths clear of The Royal Dub.
'So far this season he's only been about 80-85%, and I hope that will leave him 90-95% for Cheltenham,' said O'Grady. Most bookmakers left his price unchanged for the 'Arkle', with Sean Grahams going a best of 10/1.
General Montcalm will also be part of the O'Grady raiding party in the Cotswolds next month after a decisive win in the John McCarthy Memorial Hunters Chase. The Roselier gelding stayed on well in the straight for Niall Madden to beat Van Ness by ten lengths, while 11/10 favourite Never Compromise lost touch after a mistake six out eventually finishing a well-beaten eighth.
'Slippers (Madden) was a bit unlucky at Leopardstown as the horse in front of him jinked one way and this fellow followed him. His jumping is much better this year, and hopefully there is alot of improvement in him for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham,' said O'Grady.
Michael O'Brien also has Cheltenham in mind for Majlis, who reversed last month's course placings with Loyal Focus in no uncertain terms in the Grade 3 Tattersalls (Ire) Derby Sale Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle. Tom Ryan's mount got the better of long-time leader Don't Be Bitin after the last to score by a neck, while Loyal Focus found little under pressure after two out a further three lengths back in third.
'He's a good, tough horse who needs a strong ride, and is in the Triumph Hurdle as well as the four-year-old handicap at Cheltenham. I'm probably favouring the handicap for him at the moment, while Barati may go for the Triumph,' said O'Brien.
O'Brien and Ryan later completed a double when Kadoun recorded a remarkable win in the Armagh Harps GFC Handicap Hurdle, coming from last to first in the straight to pip Leaders Way in a blanket finish. Ryan's claim was reduced from 5lb to 3lb following this 30th career success, and O'Brien will now aim Kadoun at the Irish National with one run over fences beforehand.
The INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final was the most valuable event of the day, and Theatre Lane put up a brave performance when making all under Danny Howard. The lightly-raced eight-year-old dug deep to shake off a number of challenges, with Polly's Dream finding no extra after the last the four and a half lengths runner-up.
'It's great for the owners who have been very patient, and he may go now for a staying novice providing there's still some cut in the ground,' said trainer Arthur Moore.
Alan Magee
