Racing/ Aintree Grand National: Parading behind some potential Derby colts at Leopardstown yesterday might have seemed an incongruous welcome home for Ireland's 20th winner of the Grand National, but Hedgehunter rose to the occasion with the same sort of aplomb he so showed at Aintree on Saturday.

In front of a small but enthusiastic crowd the Willie Mullins-trained star appeared to lap up the attention and looked in remarkable shape considering he had put in such a gruelling effort less than 24 hours previously.

"I can't believe the form he is in after racing four and a half miles. He seems to be really enjoying it," remarked Mullins, who described Hedgehunter's Liverpool triumph as the most memorable of his career.

"One of the best days was when Florida Pearl won his fourth Hennessy here but winning the National has to be the best," he said. "I remember watching my first National in 1965 and when you see it as a kid you want to win it. But this is a dream come true."

Jockey Ruby Walsh, who guided Hedgehunter to that 14-length defeat of Royal Auclair, and in the process justified a huge gamble down to 7 to 1 favourite, was in action at Limerick yesterday but the horse's first duty after arriving off the ferry was to make the short journey to Leopardstown.

"The aim next year will be to go back for the National again. He improved so much for his run in it last year and he might be one of those horses who is a late developer. They say you have to lose a final to win a final and after his fall last year he is a much stronger horse now. But he doesn't owe us a thing," Mullins added.

Watching the parade yesterday was the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, who presented Mullins with a magnum of champagne to mark a fourth Irish win in the last seven years at Aintree.

The sport's ruling body, Horse Racing Ireland, clearly felt the world doesn't have enough flag waving already, and before Hedgehunter entered the parade ring HRI staff handed out Tricolours to punters.

Afterwards Hedgehunter was taken to Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, near where he is trained, for what was sure to be a rapturous reception.

He is, however, not finished work for the season. An attempt on the £250,000 for winning the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown in 12 days' time is likely to be too soon but Mullins is targeting a big prize farther afield.

France's Gold Cup, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, is run at Auteuil on May 29th and Mullins has an impressive record at the track, having won the French Champion Hurdle twice, including with Rule Supreme last year.

"It is the same trip as the Betfred (three miles and five furlongs) and they always get a cut in the ground there. That looks the most likely because Sandown looks a bit soon," Mullins said. "Rule Supreme could run the same day in the Prix la Barka."

Before that Walsh remains on course for a Grand National Grand Slam as he is due to team up with the Paul Nicholls-trained Cornish Rebel in Saturday's Scottish National at Ayr.

Hedgehunter added to Walsh victories earlier in the season by Silver Birch (Welsh National) and Numbersixvalverde (Irish National) and the novice Cornish Rebel will be fancied if the ground in Scotland is soft.

Already, however, the Irish champion jockey-elect has established an enviable Aintree record, having also won on his very first ride, on Papillon, five years ago.

"It went unbelievable for me. He settled well and gave me a fantastic ride," said the 25-year-old.

In contrast, it was another bitter National experience for Tony McCoy, whose horse, Clan Royal, was clear at Bechers Brook only to be brought to a stop by two loose horses.