Aintree Grand National: Willie Mullins admits Hedgehunter faces a "big task" to secure back-to-back victories in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree in April after the unveiling of the weights yesterday.
The 10-year-old beat Royal Auclair by 14 lengths in the four-and-a-half-mile showpiece, but he will have to defy a 9lb rise to a minimum weight of 11st 10lb if he is to complete a National double.
Mullins said: "Hedgehunter won well last year so it's come as no surprise to see what he has to do this time. It's a big task.
"He rewrote history by being the first horse for 20 years or so to win carrying more than 11st and he's got to do it again. Hopefully, we'll get to the race in one piece. He'll probably carry top weight on the day and that's come as no surprise."
Ante-post favourite Clan Royal has been dropped 3lb from last year's mark to 10st 8lb. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained 11-year-old finished second behind Amberleigh House in 2004 before being carried out by a loose horse at Becher's second time round last year.
Clan Royal is now expected to go off as one of the shortest-priced favourites in recent Grand National history.
Once-a-year punters who felt robbed by circumstances could see the horse go off at around the 4 to 1 mark.
