By Frank Keogh

Hedgehunter remains on course for the National

Trainer Willie Mullins has revealed Hedgehunter is not a certain runner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.

Mullins is not completely happy with the 2005 Grand National winner, who was runner-up in both the Gold Cup and the Aintree marathon last year.

Reporting the horse to be "sore" and in need of rest, he told BBC Sport: "The main aim is the Grand National and we'll have to see about Cheltenham.

"I'm going to give him a few days off, I'm just not happy with him.

"Hopefully, he'll get over it and we'll proceed on with him. He's just a little bit sore."

Hedgehunter romped to a 14-length victory in the National two years ago, and was a gallant runner-up in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde, who won by six lengths but was carrying 18lb less.

In between, Hedgehunter ran a fine race last March when finishing second to War of Attrition in the Gold Cup, and was considered a lively outsider this time at odds of about 33-1.

The horse made a pleasing seasonal return when fifth in a hurdles race at Thurles in November.

But Mullins has opted to swerve Saturday's big contest in Ireland, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown - which he won four times with the record-breaking Florida Pearl.

"Our whole focus is Aintree, and if Cheltenham comes up, all well and good," he said.

The Irish trainer said there was no serious problem with the 11-year-old, owned by the Lancastrian multi-millionaire Trevor Hemmings.

Mullins expects Hedgehunter, rated 12-1 Aintree favourite by some bookmakers, to be among the top weights when the handicap ratings for the National are announced on Tuesday.

The County Carlow-based trainer has five other entries, including another Hemmings-owned gelding in Our Ben.