Mullins is delighted Walsh still on board

Apr 2 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

WILLIE MULLINS is happy Ruby Walsh made what may be the right choice to stay loyal to Hedgehunter in this Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls was trying to lure the two-time National-winning rider onto Turko. But he had to admit defeat and turn to Richard Johnson to partner the six-year-old as Walsh chose to continue his partnership with Hedgehunter.

The pair won the Aintree showpiece in 2005 and finished runner-up to Numbersixvalverde 12 months later.

The Mullins-trained 12-year-old had an interrupted preparation last year when he finished ninth, but he looked more of his old self when second to Afistfullofdollars last time, ahead of stablemate and fellow National hopeful Snowy Morning.

Mullins said: I thought he (Walsh) might ride the other horse (Snowy Morning) but he’s elected to ride Hedgehunter.

“I’m happy as Ruby knows him very well and hopefully it will be a good result.

“I think he is coming back to himself and he appears in good form, he worked this morning and Ruby came to ride him.

“He loves the track and if it keeps drying that will be in his favour, if it rains that will probably favour horses with lighter weights.

“I probably ran Snowy Morning too soon after the Hennessy in Ireland.

“Hedgehunter loves Aintree and hopefully he doesn’t get brought down. If he doesn’t, I think he is really coming to himself and he should be there or thereabouts turning for home.

“It’s a big ask for Snowy Morning because he is really a second-season novice with very little preparation for Aintree because we decided to mind his handicap mark for this race.

“We’ve got the weight concession, but we probably lack a little in experience.”

Johnson, meanwhile, was happy to get the spare ride aboard Nicholls’ Turko.

He said: “I’m delighted to get the ride. Ruby had so many options and it gives a few of us the chance to pick up a nice spare. Obviously I’m really looking forward to it.”

Timmy Murphy has decided partner to totesport Eider Chase winner Comply Or Die.

David Johnson’s retained rider had initially suggested he would ride the National second favourite, who is a best-priced 11-1 with totesport and Skybet.

He did, though, speak last week of the possibility of switching to another David Pipe-trained runner Vodka Bleu.

But it was confirmed yesterday he would ride Comply Or Die, who was second to favourite Cloudy Lane at Haydock in December before his impressive success under top weight at Newcastle in February.

The nine-year-old is likely to be one of five runners for Pipe, whose father Martin won the race with the Freddie Starr-owned Miinnehoma in 1994.

Pipe’s website reported yesterday: “Timmy Murphy has just phoned us to confirm that he will be riding Comply Or Die in this year’s Grand National.

“Vodka Bleu will be ridden by Paul Moloney and Tom Malone will ride Milan Deux Mille. Tom Scudamore will ride Madison Du Berlais and Johnny Farrelly will ride Joaaci.”

Grand National-winning jockey Tony Dobbin will ride Point Barrow in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National.

Dobbin, who won the Aintree showpiece aboard Lord Gyllene in 1997, was delighted to pick up on the 2006 Irish Grand National hero, who is best-priced 25-1 with Ladbrokes and Sportingbet for Saturday’s 4m4f contest.

Pat Hughes’s 10-year-old fell at the first fence under Philip Carberry when sent off the 8-1 co-favourite for the National 12 months ago.

But connections will hope Dobbin’s experience in the National and also at Aintree where he excels will help the horse get a good bit further.

Dobbin, who will ride Aintree specialist Monet’s Garden in either tomorrow’s totesport Bowl or Friday’s John Smith’s Melling Chase, was delighted to be on board Point Barrow.

He said yesterday: “I got a phone call from Ireland yesterday, saying the horse was going spare if I was interested. It is a good ride. He was fancied last year, unfortunately he came down at the first (fence) but he’s an Irish National winner. He’s a spring horse, I’ve heard good vibes about him and hopefully he’ll give me a good ride.”

Last year’s winning rider Robbie Power will be on board Nadover as he bids to become the first jockey to win back-to-back Nationals since Brian Fletcher steered the great Red Rum to glory in the first two of his three victories in 1973 and 1974.

Nadover will run despite having being taken out of the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales.

“Nadover was withdrawn from the sale at Doncaster but is a definite starter in the National on Saturday,” said trainer Charlie Mann.

JOHN Smith’s Grand National Betting (best prices): Cloudy Lane 6-1 (Sportingbet), Comply Or Die 11-1 (totesport, Skybet, VCbet, extrabet), Slim Pickings 12-1 (Sportingbet), Simon 12-1 (generally), Chelsea Harbour 14-1 (generally), Bewleys Berry 16-1 (Sportingbet),Butler’s Cabin 16-1 (generally), Mr Pointment 20-1 (Sportingbet), King Johns Castle 20-1 (Ladbrokes, BlueSquare, Sportingbet), Snowy Morning 20-1 (Ladbrokes, Coral, totesport, Sportingbet), McKelvey 22-1 (Sportingbet), Point Barrow, 25-1 (Ladbrokes, Sportingbet), Hedgehunter 25-1 (Ladbrokes, William Hill, BlueSquare, Paddy Power, Sportingbet), Mon Mome 28-1 (Skybet, Sportingbet), Philson Run 28-1 (extrabet). 33-1 Bar.