Hedgehunter did his Aintree Grand National prospects no harm at all when running an encouraging second over hurdles at Thurles yesterday. Sent off the 6 to 4 favourite, the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old made the running for much of the second circuit of the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle, but began to struggle three from home when he lost touch with the leaders.
However, the gelding stayed on for Paul Carberry and was only three and a half lengths behind surprise 50 to 1 winner Dalvento at the line. Hedgehunter had finished ninth on his reappearance at Clonmel last month.
"He's coming along and that was a much better effort than Clonmel," Mullins said. "I'm happy with the run today, although I thought he would win. We've no plans apart from Aintree in April. That's the only day we are planning for."
Hedgehunter, who was third and under pressure when he fell at the final fence in last season's Grand National, is a 25 to 1 chance for the Aintree showpiece this term.
John Murphy, the Co Cork-trainer, looks to have a decent staying hurdle prospect on his hands with Dalvento. The gelding, ridden by promising 7lb claimer Billy Callaghan, was held up before making steady progress to lead three out.
Trainer Mouse Morris and jockey Adrian Lane combined to land the Glen Chase with Baily Mist. Both The Galway Man and Glacial Moss exited too early to describe the winner as "fortunate" and Baily Mist battled well to see off the challenge of Well Presented by two lengths.
Morris later said: "She may go for the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but other than that, I've no immediate plans."
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase was run in a thick fog, with Michael Hourigan's The Screamer emerging the winner under Paul Carberry.
Hourigan said after the win: "She jumped the last fence like an old timer and she'll go for a mares' winners race now. It is also possible she will make use of her Flat rating of 37 and go for a race on the all-weather in England."
Carberry doubled his score for the day on Rolling Home, who made all to win the three-year-old hurdle. A somewhat bemused Noel Meade, trainer, said, "I didn't realise he was going to make the running but Paul seems to make his own plans!"
Third-placed Dujareva ran well on his debut for Shane Broderick, who celebrates his 30th birthday today.
Meanwhile, Hourigan will leave a decision "as late as possible" over Beef Or Salmon's participation in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. Beef Or Salmon suffered an overreach when landing the James Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal at the beginning of November but is back in work now and could bid for consecutive wins in the Punchestown feature. However, he also has the option of the Hilly Way Chase over two miles at Cork a week later, a race he has won for the last two seasons, before he heads to the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown after Christmas, when he could meet Best Mate.
"I'll delay a decision until tomorrow morning," Hourigan said yesterday. "The horse is cantering away at the moment but he has only done two bits of work and I'll leave a decision as late as possible."
Barry Geraghty has been snapped up to ride the gambled-on King Eider in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow. Malton trainer Brian Ellison had hoped to get Tony McCoy, who won on King Eider at Huntingdon, but the champion is unavailable.
Azertyuiop is odds-on to avenge his defeat by Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy 12 months ago after seven runners were declared for the Sandown feature yesterday. The sponsors, Ladbrokes and Coral all go 4 to 6 about his chances while Paddy Power are slightly more generous at 8 to 11. Moscow Flyer is a top-priced 9 to 4 shot.
The pair will be meeting for the third time tomorrow, with the score standing at one apiece. However, the front two will not have matters entirely their own way with Well Chief, winner of the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival in the line-up.
