b g Montelimar (USA) - Aberedw (IRE) (Caerwent)
Hedgehunter's career began in February, 2001, with four seconds in bumpers. He started the 2001/2002 campaign over hurdles, adding another '2' to his form figures when going down by five lengths in a maiden at Punchestown in November, 2001.It was on his 10th start that he registered a first success when coming home 20 lengths clear on heavy ground in a Clonmel maiden hurdle in February, 2002. He was sent chasing in the 2002/03 season and his form progressed to a new level over the larger obstacles. Two seconds and a third in novice and beginners' chases were followed by an 11-length win in the Grand National Trial Handicap at Punchestown on February 2, 2003. He then, after being bought by Trevor Hemmings, travelled to the 2003 Cheltenham Festival for the four-mile National Hunt Chase where he was going exceptionally well before a mistake two out almost brought him down. That season was rounded off by finishing second to stablemate Rule Supreme at Punchestown. The 2003/04 season began with a second visit to Britain when finishing fourth to Strong Flow in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and continued with third place, 23 lengths behind Bindaree, in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27 before an eight-length win in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on January 22. He then headed for the John Smith's Grand National and ran a game race from the front, looking assured of at least a place when falling at the last. In the 2004/05 season, his first five races came over hurdles, with his best effort being a second at Thurles in December. He put himself in the picture for another crack at the John Smith's Grand National when landing the Bobbyjo Chase at Leopardstown on February 19 after the weights came out. He made up
for his last fence blunder the previous year when scoring an emphatic victory in the 2005 John Smith's Grand National under Ruby Walsh, beating Royal Auclair by 14 lengths when the 7/1 favourite. He finished 14th of 23 on his first start of the 2005/06 season in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle on December 4. He was a respectable fourth to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown later that month, and returned to that venue to be runner-up to the same rival in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on February 12. He then ran right up to his best when two and a half lengths second to War Of Attrition in the 2006 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 17. He subsequently made a gallant attempt under top-weight to become the first horse to win consecutive John Smith's Grand Nationals since Red Rum when he found only Numbersixvalverde six lengths too good. For the 2006/07 campaign, Hedgehunter made three appearances, finishing fifth to stablemate Mossy Green in a handicap hurdle at Thurles in November and ninth of 16 over hurdles at Limerick at the start of April. He proved he was still a major player as an 11-year-old in last year's John Smith's Grand National, finishing ninth under top-weight, despite being hampered twice on the second circuit. This season, Hedgehunter has been kept busy in some of Ireland's top chases. Having been pulled up in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December, the 12-year-old followed up disappointing efforts in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles and the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown with a far better display in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, finishing a good second to Afistfullofdollars.
Race Record: Starts: 39; Wins: 5; 2nd: 15; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £784,593
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AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL 2008
