John ‘Shark’ Joseph Hanlon has pinpointed the Irish Grand National as a potential next step for Hewick. There’s no secrecy regarding the cost of the admirable 11-year-old, who’s amassed £791,468 in prize money for the yard.
Hewick ran a respectable race in the Stayers’ Hurdle last week. Returning from a 104-day break with wind surgery in the interim, he led the field until 2-out. Ridden by Shark’s son Paddy Hanlon, Hewick shaped as if slightly ring rusty in the closing stages and a return to chasing appears likely.
Hanlon told RacingTV that: “Hewick has come out of Cheltenham really well, I just feel he was short of a run going into it.
“I couldn’t have been happier though with both the run and with the ride Paddy gave him. They really enjoyed themselves and get on really well together. He loved jumping and he travelled well. I just wonder if he was one piece of work short.
Despite failing to land a blow, Hanlon remained in positives spirits going forward. “There’s plenty of options,” remarked Hanlon. “In the Irish National he could have a lovely weight. Paddy can claim 5lb which is a big help. He might have around 11st which would be a really nice racing weight.
“Fairyhouse would be a big option for him if he gets the right ground. We’ve had so much rain here you would hope it would dry up at some point!”
A return to Sandown on the agenda
Sandown has been a happy hunting ground for Hewick, who is two-from-two there. He emphatically won the Bet365 Gold Cup in 2022, returning a year later to win the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase.
Hanlon added: “There a race in Sandown he could also go for at the end of April which is a big race as well, so there’s a couple of options. It’s worth £175,000 and we’ve been to Sandown and enjoyed ourselves at this meeting in the past.”
Hewick is among 84 runners for the €500,000 prize at Fairyhouse, won last year by Haiti Couleurs. Holloway Queen was impressive in the National Hunt Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last week and may bid to emulate last years winner. Ultima winner Jonnywho is also entered for Jonjo & A J O’Neil in an attempt to win a third Irish Grand National for the yard.
Oscar’s Brother tops the market after a pleasing fourth in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase last week.