The 2005 Grand National hero Hedgehunter is set to warm up for a return to Aintree next month with a run over hurdles at Limerick this weekend.
The Willie Mullins-trained star has been plagued with a knee problem all winter since his last start in November but is now back in full preparation for a fourth run in the Liverpool spectacular.
"He has done two bits of fast work and seems to be grand. I'm going to enter him for a two-mile hurdle at Limerick on Sunday," Mullins said yesterday.
The horse will run in the two-mile UL Bohemians Raceday Hurdle.
Hedgehunter was runner-up to Numbersixvalverde last year and in 2004 he ran a spectacular race before falling at the last fence in the race won by Amberleigh House.
In other jumping news, the champion hurdler Sublimity is being targeted at one more start this jumps season in next month's Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
"He has started back and cantered on Monday," said his trainer John Carr.
"Obviously we would have to get similar ground to Cheltenham or he won't be going to Punchestown. All his good runs have been on a bit of cut."
He added: "Hardy Eustace and Iktitaf will be at Punchestown. I'm not sure about Brave Inca but I can't see much else going and if he wins again there will be no questions about him."
