Tag Archive for: Hewick

Shark Hanlon announces new licence holder for his yard

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John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has revealed Tara Lee Cogan will take over the licence at his County Carlow yard after his ban begins on Sunday, meaning his stable star Hewick could yet defend his crown in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Hanlon will serve a six-month suspension, with the possibility it could later be reduced to three, after a Referrals Committee of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board ruled he had acted in a manner that “caused significant prejudice to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of the sport of racing” in the removal of a dead horse from his yard earlier this year.

With the trainer’s ban commencing on December 1, plans remain uncertain for Hewick, who made a fine start to his campaign when second to Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal and travelled to Haydock for last weekend’s Betfair Chase, only to be withdrawn on the day due to the rain-softened ground.

Hanlon, who made the difficult decision to sell several of his horses at a dispersal sale at Goffs in October, is now preparing to hand over the reins to Cogan, who has not saddled a winner under National Hunt rules in over 10 years.

“Tara Cogan is going to take over training. She’s a friend not too far from me and she’s moving into my yard,” Hanlon – who had his original 10-month ban reduced on appeal – said on Friday afternoon.

“She takes over on Monday. We haven’t a lot of horses to run, we only have seven, eight or 10 to run, so she’s taking over and I’m delighted because she’s been a friend for years and she knows the run of the yard because she used to come down and work her own horses with mine.

“She only has three or four horses, so they’re coming down to my yard over the weekend, and she’s keeping on my staff, which is very important. Rachel (O’Neill, Hanlon’s partner) will be there to give her a hand with whatever she wants to know as well.

“I’ll take a sideline as my sister is not well in America and I’m bringing my mother to America to see her. We’ll take a sideline for the time being and the sooner this is over the better.”

While Hanlon will not be able to play any part in the training of Hewick during the next few months, he does hold an entry in the King George.

“The plan the whole time was to run at Christmas somewhere. He’s entered in the King George and he’ll probably be entered for Leopardstown,” Hanlon added.

“Whatever Tara and Rachel want to do it’ll be no problem. Tara is friendly with the man that owns Hewick as well, he’d know her.

“I’m taking a holiday for a couple of months and will see if I can replace some of the horses I lost.”



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Hewick plans in limbo as softening ground rules out Betfair bid

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All plans are on hold for Hewick after trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon made the difficult decision to withdraw his stable star from the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Last season’s King George VI Chase hero made the trip the Merseyside with high hopes off the back of finishing a close second to Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.

In the immediate aftermath of that narrow defeat, Hanlon suggested Hewick would either defend his King George crown at Kempton on Boxing Day or run in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown two days later.

However, with plans beyond the start of December complicated by the trainer’s impending suspension, he instead made an early trip across the Irish Sea, only for rain during the morning and early afternoon ultimately scuppering his participation.

Hanlon said: “If the rain hadn’t have come in the last hour I think we’d have been all right. I walked the track this morning and I was happy enough with it, but we just didn’t need rain and it came.

“There’ll be other days, but it’s disappointing because he was in real good form and had a good run the last day.

“It’s the right decision for the horse not to run.”

From December 1, Hanlon will serve a six-month suspension, with the possibility it could later be reduced to three, after a Referrals Committee of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board ruled he had acted in a manner that “caused significant prejudice to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of the sport of racing” in the removal of a dead horse from his yard earlier this year.

That ban will, of course, mean Hewick is unable to run in the King George in Hanlon’s name and the trainer is not ruling out the possibility of sending his stable star straight for another crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Hewick won the King George last year
Hewick won the King George last year (Steven Paston/PA)

He added: “Now the rain has come we could have rain for two or three months, so I’d say nearly Cheltenham could be his next run, but we have no decision made.

“I have nothing planned yet. In the next three days we’ll see what we’re going to do.

“We’ll train him for a King George, but we’re just going to have to wait and see. If we ran him today I had no intention of doing anything else (before Cheltenham), but we’re going to have to see now.”



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Sheehan and Hewick set for Haydock reunion

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Gavin Sheehan will be reunited with Hewick in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Jordan Gainford has partnered Shark Hanlon’s charge in his last five starts but Sheehan will get the leg up on Merseyside, having steered the horse to King George VI Chase glory last year.

Hewick was caught close home by Envoi Allen having made most of the running in the Champion Chase at Down Royal earlier this month, with Hanlon suggesting a Kempton defence at Christmas could be on the cards.

The trainer’s impending suspension complicated matters though, and the plan is now to run at Haydock before heading straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, when the trainer will be back on the roster.

However, with some forecasts suggesting over 20 millimetres of rain at Haydock, Hanlon will be keeping a close eye on the weather.

He said: “We’ve got Gavin and we’re hoping the rain stays away, but he’s going anyhow.

Gavin Sheehan last rode Hewick in the King George
Gavin Sheehan last rode Hewick in the King George (John Walton/PA)

“He does go with cut in the ground, it’s just that the fences look big to him on soft ground.

“I was talking to the man on the track (clerk of the course Daniel Cooper) and he can see it being good on Saturday – if the rain stays away. I’m hoping the forecast is wrong.

“A small drop of rain would be lovely. At Limerick the other day, it looked soft but it wasn’t, they were just taking the top off it – under it, it is still hard, so I don’t think one day of rain will make it soft.

“He nearly won in France when it was very soft. He handles it, he’s just better on good ground.

“He didn’t deserve to lose at Down Royal, he put it all in. I think he’s actually better this year than he was last year.”



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Hewick lined up for Haydock trip ‘if the ground stays good’

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The Betfair Chase has emerged as a likely next port of call for Hewick following his narrow defeat at Down Royal on Saturday.

Having finished third on his reappearance at Punchestown last month, last season’s King George hero raised his game in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, going down by just half a length after a titanic tussle on the run-in with Envoi Allen, with the pair clear of Gerri Colombe in third.

Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon was delighted with his stable star’s performance and feels the result may have been even better had course officials not watered the ground during the week.

“He’s come out of it 100 per cent, there’s not a bother on him and it was a great run,” he said.

“He gave his heart, didn’t he? If I’d gone to Wetherby for the Charlie Hall instead, I probably would have won, but we decided to take on the boys in Down Royal and we didn’t lose anything in defeat.

“They did a lot of watering and it just turned the ground too soft for me. The ground was lovely, but it was yielding ground and we just need good ground.”

In the immediate aftermath of his Down Royal effort, Hanlon suggested Hewick would either defend his King George crown at Kempton on Boxing Day or run in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown two days later, but plans beyond the start of December are complicated by the trainer’s impending suspension.

Trainer John “Shark” Hanlon with Hewick
Trainer John “Shark” Hanlon with Hewick (Niall Carson/PA)

With that in mind, the County Carlow handler is keen to head to Haydock for the Merseyside track’s Grade One feature on November 23, provided conditions are suitable.

He added: “I’m hoping to go to Haydock with him now for the Betfair, that would be the aim.

“If the ground stays good for Haydock, I wouldn’t mind going (straight) to Cheltenham with him. His big aim this year is the Gold Cup and onto the Grand National after that.

“If I can get him to Haydock, I’d be very happy and could leave him fresh then for the Gold Cup.”



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Elliott looking forward to another good campaign with Gerri Colombe

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Gerri Colombe returns to Down Royal on Saturday to defend his Ladbrokes Champion Chase crown, a race Gordon Elliott has a fine record in.

The eight-year-old edged out Henry de Bromhead’s 2022 champion and reopposing Envoi Allen when landing this contest 12 months ago and would go on to finish second to Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown at Christmas and in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, before ending the season on a high at Aintree.

He makes his reappearance as the one to beat in the Grade One event, with victory taking Elliott past Paul Nicholls as the race’s most successful trainer.

Elliott said: “He’s going to come on again (from the run) – the same as last year – but he is in good form and we are happy with him.

“I think Gerri is actually better on that type of ground (good to yielding) so, once it is safe, we will be happy. It looks like they have a lovely cover of grass on it.

“You are always nervous with those horses and you want the ground to be as safe as it can be, but I don’t think he is as much of a mudlark as everyone thinks.”

Elliott will also be represented by Grand National runner-up Delta Work, while Gavin Cromwell will saddle Visionarian after his recent success in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran.

The five-strong line-up is completed by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s King George hero Hewick, with the handler hoping to take advantage of good ground at the Lisburn venue before a possible tilt at Haydock’s Betfair Chase later this month.

Hanlon said: “He’s in great form and he did a piece of work the other day on the Curragh that makes me very happy with him, I just hope they don’t over-water the ground. The ground up there is nice at the moment. He loves good ground and hopefully it will be that.

“I was very happy with his comeback at Punchestown and he will improve a lot from that. He was only back in eight or nine weeks before that run and blew up, but I think it will leave him spot on.

“My plan if the ground stays dry is to head to Haydock after this.”

The other graded action on the card sees Elliott go for a third straight win in the Bottlegreen Ladies Day 2024 Chase with Found A Fifty.

The Cullentra House handler has won the Grade Two contest four times in total and this year’s contender sets the standard on his Arkle second and Grade One win at Aintree in the spring.

Noel Meade won this in consecutive years with Disko (2017) and Snow Falcon (2018) and saddles what appears Found A Fifty’s biggest danger in the improving Galway Plate winner Pinkerton.



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Hewick outing bringing some relief to Shark Hanlon

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Shark Hanlon sees Hewick’s run in the BetVictor Chase at Punchestown on Wednesday as a form of light relief.

The trainer could lose his licence for 10 months should the result of an appeal against the severity of that punishment, which was heard at the headquarters of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday, not go his way.

Veteran trainer Edward O’Grady spoke in Hanlon’s defence at the hearing, with a decision from the independent appeal panel expected within 14 days. Hanlon was given the suspension after a dead horse was transported on an open trailer towed by one of his branded lorries, with the body left visible to the public after a tarpaulin became displaced during the journey.

A member of the public videoed the incident and it was widely circulated on social media, which attracted further media attention and led to the IHRB bringing charges against Hanlon, saying the conduct “attracted significant public opprobrium and adverse comment” both for the trainer personally and racing in general.

Shark Hanlon after Hewick won the King George VI Chase
Shark Hanlon after Hewick won the King George VI Chase (John Walton/PA)

Following a hearing on August 30, the disciplinary panel of the IHRB said it was satisfied Hanlon had breached rule 272(i) in that he was “grossly negligent in the supervision of the transport of the horse carcass on the day in question” and there was “high culpability” on his part.

Famously bought for just €850, Hewick propelled Hanlon into the big time by winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park last year.

The nine-year-old further confirmed he belonged at the highest level when a close third to Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown and was then second in the French Champion Hurdle.

“He’s giving plenty of weight away, but he’s in good form. He’ll definitely improve for the run – I’m looking forward to getting him back going,” said Hanlon.

“His Punchestown run, if the ground had been better, I think he’d have had a chance of beating the other two. He’s a horse that wants good ground.

“At Punchestown we took them on on their ground, but I’d love to take them on on our ground. He showed he wouldn’t have been out of place in the Gold Cup as they are the two best in Ireland, so hopefully he comes back in the same form this year.

“In France the ground was so bad I thought he ran a cracker. I think his Punchestown run was his best and his French run his second best.”

Reflecting on his situation, Hanlon said: “It’s a bit of a relief to talk about the horses – it will be a disaster if I can’t in the future.

“I don’t think I did a lot wrong and the whole of Ireland and England don’t think I did a lot wrong. I’ve had so much support and it really means a lot.

“We’ll just have to wait and see what we’re doing until we get a decision on the appeal. I’ve no idea what will happen with Hewick, I haven’t got a Plan B yet.”

Among the opposition to Hewick in the Grade Three contest is the Gordon Elliott-trained Conflated, a smart performer at his best, finishing third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last season and second to Jonbon at Aintree.

Conflated (right) in action at Aintree
Conflated (right) in action at Aintree (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“Conflated is in good form, but he will come on for the run,” said Elliott, who also runs Minella Crooner.

“He’s obviously a bit better going the other way, but he was only beaten nine and a half lengths here (in the Punchestown Gold Cup) after going quite a bit left. He will come on from the run.

“Minella Crooner likes the track but he’s wrong in the ratings and Hurricane Georgie got placed in a smaller field last year so it would be great if she could do it again.

“To be honest if we got a bit of rain it would do no harm.”

Gavin Cromwell’s Visionarian is going for a second good win of the early campaign, having taken the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.

His trainer said: “He’s wrong at the weights with plenty of them and if the rain comes it probably wouldn’t suit him.

“He’s not the simplest to place and it’s coming quite quick for him after Gowran. We’re a bit limited with options where we can go.

“I don’t think the longer trip will be an issue.”



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American National on the radar again for Hewick

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Shark Hanlon described Hewick as a “horse of a lifetime” as the Irish handler contemplates another assault at American Grand National success later this year.

The nine-year-old continued his fine run of form when he came a narrow second in the French Champion Hurdle in Auteuil on Saturday.

This came on the back of victory in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and, although he missed the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National due to unsuitable ground, he turned in an impressive third behind Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs on his return to Ireland in the Punchestown Gold Cup earlier this month.

Hewick
Hewick won the American Grand National in 2022 (Nigel French/PA)

Hanlon is planning a similar route for 2025 to what had been in place for this year, but he looks set to add a trip to Far Hills in New Jersey before the end of 2024 in a bid to reclaim the American Grand National which he won by a huge 11 and a half lengths in October 2022.

“He goes back up to TJ (owner TJ McDonald) in Naas and will get eight weeks off, and then we are thinking about going back to America for that race we won two years ago,” he said.

“From there, we will probably look at the same routine as last year – the King George, up to Cheltenham, maybe for a National this year – I’ll have to discuss with the owners.

“He’s a horse of a lifetime. His run at Punchestown was against two of the best Irish and English horses, probably, and then we go to France and get beat. I think he’s entitled to win more of those pots some day, whenever it is.

“He needs that three and a half miles, it is very hard to get those races. That’s the story with him.”

The weekend’s display left Hanlon waxing lyrical over his stable star, who performed admirably despite unfavourable very soft ground at the Paris track.

Hewick was in third when he flew over the final obstacle behind Mahler Mission and Losange Bleu in the extended three-mile-one-furlong contest.

He managed to get past his Irish rival in the closing stages and homed in on leading French raider Losange Bleu, but the post came too quickly for Hewick as he finished one and a half lengths behind the winner.

Hanlon is adamant that Hewick would have won if there was half a furlong further in the Grade One race.

“He’s in great form, he never missed a nut and we are thrilled,” he added. “We are disappointed to get beat, but absolutely thrilled.

“I think the soft ground down the back beat him. Like when he met the good ground up the straight he travelled very well the whole way home, if there had to be another 100 yards I think he would have nearly got up.

“He just needs to be able to handle the soft ground like the good ground, he goes on it but he is just much better on good ground.

“Down the back the other day was soft, he (jockey Jordan Gainford) said he kept changing his legs the whole time, but then when he met the good ground up the main straight, he said he galloped straight up the straight for him.”



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Hewick heading for French Champion Hurdle assignment

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Shark Hanlon has confirmed that Hewick will have a second crack at French Champion Hurdle glory later this month, having finished fourth behind Theleme in that contest last term.

The nine-year-old claimed a famous victory in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day before sidestepping the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National due to unsuitable ground, but had a spin over hurdles on Merseyside.

Hewick put in a fine effort when third behind Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs on his return to Ireland in the Punchestown Gold Cup, but the 2022 American Grand National hero is now set to get back on his travels.

Reflecting on that last run, Hanlon told Racing TV: “It’s probably his best run ever and he finished third, but you’d have to be proud of him. He’s finished third in one of the top-class races in either Ireland or England.

“I just announced today that I’m going to go to France with him for the French Champion Hurdle, which he was fourth in last year.

Shark Hanlon Stable Visit – Monday 12th January
Trainer Shark Hanlon with Hewick (PA).

“That’s on Saturday week and then he’ll probably get a holiday after that, before maybe going back to America in October and November, down the same route.

“At Punchestown, the ground was lovely, but we’d rather it had been faster, because on faster ground, I think he’s a lot better horse.

“We probably won’t get that in France but we were fourth in it last year and there’s a lot of money and I think the first three horses that beat us last year are all gone this year.

“None of them are around and he was well clear of the fifth horse last year. I was talking to the owner yesterday and he’s in great form, so we’ll give him one more.

“He’s lightly raced this year, he’s only had three runs, so we’ll have to see.

“After the King George, they were nearly knocking him more than praising him. We wanted to go to either Cheltenham or Liverpool, but with the ground too soft in both places, we gave him a run in Liverpool over hurdles just to get him ready for Punchestown really.”



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Hewick handed Liverpool Hurdle possibility at Aintree

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King George hero Hewick has emerged as a surprise contender for the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle, with trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon keen to keep options open with conditions at Aintree currently testing ahead of the three-day Grand National meeting.

Famously acquired for just €850, the nine-year-old’s rags-to-riches tale as seen him become one of the most popular horses in training and he has picked up prizes such as the Galway Plate and American Grand National en route to becoming a bona fide Grade One operator.

After striking at Kempton on Boxing Day, the wet weather has already scuppered Hanlon’s plans to run Hewick in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Randox Grand National itself this spring and the continued rainfall has seen him searching for a Merseyside alternative to running in Thursday’s Aintree Bowl.

Hewick flying home to win the King George
Hewick flying home to win the King George (John Walton/PA)

However, the County Carlow handler has no concerns about switching to the smaller obstacles, unwilling to expose his stable star to what could be the worst of conditions on Thursday.

“We know he is as good a hurdler as he is a chaser and I’m not worried about running him over hurdles,” said Hanlon.

“We ran him in the French Champion Hurdle and he ran a cracker, the ground was just too soft and if the ground was too soft there at Aintree on Thursday and we didn’t run him, it gives us the option to run him there on Saturday.

“They are giving the weather to dry up from Tuesday on and the ground could be good again on Saturday, so if the ground was OK we would run him.

Trainer John “Shark” Hanlon with Hewick
Trainer John “Shark” Hanlon with Hewick (Niall Carson/PA)

“I’ve had it in my mind for the last fortnight and he wouldn’t mind a bit of cut in the ground over hurdles, it’s just that he’s not over big himself and over fences I would be afraid he would burst his heart trying to jump out of heavy ground, which over a hurdle he won’t. It’s not that he has to have good ground, it is just that a fence looks very big to him on soft ground.

“He’s in great form and he’s worked nice. We’re just going to wait now and see and it might be that (hurdles) division this year might not be overly the best. I just have to keep all my options open.”

There are a total of 20 entries for the three-mile Grade One with Stayers’ Hurdle champion Teahupoo one of four possible runners for Gordon Elliott alongside defending champion Sire Du Berlais, Irish Point and Beacon Edge.

Cheltenham Festival winner Teahupoo could run again at Aintree
Cheltenham Festival winner Teahupoo could run again at Aintree (Adam Davy/PA)

Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up Flooring Porter will bid to turn the tables for Gavin Cromwell, while fellow Irish raider Buddy One could seek a first Grade One victory having also acquitted himself well at the Cheltenham Festival.

Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo is among the British hopes, with dual Coral Cup winner Langer Dan taking the leap into deep waters for the trainers’ championship-seeking Dan Skelton.

The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle could see record buy Caldwell Potter make his debut for Paul Nicholls, with a collection of talented novices, including Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel, amongst the 24 initial entries.

Meanwhile, there has been little to separate Elliott’s Found A Fifty and Willie Mullins’ Il Etait Temps this season and they could lock horns for a third time in the My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase – the last of three Grade Ones on the Grand National day card.



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Gerri Colombe and Shishkin among star-studded Aintree entries

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Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe and Festival absentees Hewick and Shishkin are among 12 entries for the Aintree Bowl on the opening afternoon of the Grand National meeting on Thursday.

Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe finished a clear best of the rest behind reigning champion Galopin Des Champs in the blue riband at Prestbury Park last month and could now bid for a second win on Merseyside, having claimed Grade One honours in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase 12 months ago.

Shark Hanlon made the difficult decision to take Hewick out of the Gold Cup due to the rain-softened ground, and having opted against running his charge under top-weight in the Randox Grand National, he is instead set to line up at Aintree 48 hours earlier.

Shishkin was also declared a non-runner in the Gold Cup during a difficult week at Cheltenham for Nicky Henderson, meaning he will be fresh as he looks to claim the Bowl for the second year in succession.

Other contenders for the home team include the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame, Dan Skelton’s Ryanair Chase hero Protektorat and Ahoy Senor from Lucinda Russell’s yard, while the Irish contingent interestingly features Emmet Mullins’ exciting novice Corbetts Cross.

The latter was hugely impressive when sauntering to success in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival and could now step up to take on more experienced rivals at the highest level.

Banbridge (Joseph O’Brien), Conflated (Elliott), Gentlemansgame (Mouse Morris), Jungle Boogie (Henry de Bromhead) and Thunder Rock (Olly Murphy) complete the potential field.

Irish Point looks a leading contender for the Aintree Hurdle
Irish Point looks a leading contender for the Aintree Hurdle (Brian Lawless/PA)

A dozen entries have also been made for the William Hill Aintree Hurdle, which will of course be missing last year’s winner Constitution Hill.

In his absence, leading lights include Elliott’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Irish Point, De Bromhead’s Bob Olinger and the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe, with the latter pair having purposely sidestepped Cheltenham to be saved for this race.

Despite Constitution Hill being sidelined, Henderson could still be represented with Champion Hurdle third Luccia, Iberico Lord, Marie’s Rock and First Street all in the mix, while dual Coral Cup victor Langer Dan could step up in class for the title-chasing Skelton team.

Corbetts Cross has multiple entries at Aintree
Corbetts Cross has multiple entries at Aintree (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

The first of four Grade Ones is the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, which also features Corbetts Cross as well as the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Embassy Gardens and Il Etait Temps, with Turners Novices’ Chase one-two Grey Dawning (Skelton) and Ginny’s Destiny (Nicholls) perhaps the best of the British in an 18-strong field.

A total of 13 four-year-olds are in contention for the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, with Henderson’s Sir Gino looking for compensation after missing the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

His potential rivals include the Triumph Hurdle second and fourth Kargese (Willie Mullins) and Nurburgring (Joseph O’Brien), as well as the unbeaten Kalif Du Berlais (Nicholls).



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Hanlon sets sights on Aintree Bowl for Hewick

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Top-weight Hewick has been officially scratched from the Randox Grand National, with trainer Shark Hanlon instead targeting the Aintree Bowl two days earlier.

Following his thrilling victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, connections had been planning a huge spring double with both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the world’s most famous steeplechase on Merseyside in their sights.

However, Hanlon made the difficult decision to withdraw his stable star from last week’s blue riband due to the rain-softened ground and admitted afterwards he was considering switching his focus at Aintree to give him the best opportunity of having another shot at Gold Cup glory next term.

The County Carlow handler now confirmed that plan, with an appearance in the Bowl potentially set to be followed by an outing in the Punchestown Gold Cup in early May.

Shark Hanlon with Hewick
Shark Hanlon with Hewick (Niall Carson/PA)

“I’m going for the Bowl and then after that it’s quite possible we’ll come back to Punchestown for the Gold Cup there,” said Hanlon.

“I want to go for the Gold Cup next year, so he can go for a National next year, and the Bowl looks the race now as a lot of the horses out of the Bowl have run in the Gold Cup and our lad will be going there fresh.

“What have you going for the Bowl? Paul Nicholls’ horse (Bravemansgame) will probably go again, but he got a hard race in Cheltenham, and you don’t know how Nicky Henderson’s horse (Shishkin) is.

“It’s a £250,000 race, so it’s worth a lot of money, and that’s our aim.”

Hewick’s defection from the Grand National means Gordon Elliott’s Conflated now heads the Aintree field.



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Hanlon considering Aintree options for Hewick following Gold Cup defection

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Shark Hanlon will consider running Hewick in the Aintree Bowl rather than the Grand National next month after making the “difficult decision” to sidestep Friday’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Having claimed King George glory since falling two fences from home in last year’s Gold Cup, the nine-year-old was all set for his second shot at the blue riband before being readied to line up under top-weight in the world’s most famous steeplechase on Merseyside.

But having decided against running his stable star at Prestbury Park due to the rain-softened ground, Hanlon revealed the Bowl may now be his next objective.

Trainer Shark Hanlon with Hewick
Trainer Shark Hanlon with Hewick (Niall Carson/PA)

Hanlon said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision (not to run in the Gold Cup). I walked the track twice this morning, it’s not going to get any better than it is as they’re giving rain again tonight.

“It’s disappointing to get this far, but we’ll head to Aintree now and I’d say it’s 50-50 between the National and the Bowl, it’ll be one or the other.

“I’d say after missing here I’d be turning towards the Bowl. I’d love to give him another chance at a Gold Cup and I’d hate for him to get hurt in the National (without getting that).

“He’s in great shape, the horse has never been as well in himself. It’s a hard decision to make as the horse travelled over and the owners have all landed in, but we’ve made the decision.”



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Shark alert for those taking to Cheltenham Gold Cup waters

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The Cheltenham winner’s enclosure has staged many famous celebrations over the years. But there may be scenes like nothing witnessed before if Hewick can complete his remarkable rags-to-riches story by claiming the sport’s ultimate prize.

Seven years ago genial trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, whose larger than life personality is matched by his formidable frame, made the best business decision of his life when leaving the nearby Goresbridge sales ring with an unraced two-year-old for a paltry €850. The rest, as they say, is history.

“The whole story from the start is brilliant, as he only came from down the road. You could travel the whole world to get a horse like him and I got him five minutes down the road,” said Hanlon.

“There are plenty of quality horses slip through the net at the sales and there’s plenty of quality horses go through Goresbridge.

“I know it’s only five minutes down the road, but I would never miss it – you never know where your next bargain is and I like bargains!”

Hewick is no oil painting to look at. Unlike his trainer he cuts a fairly diminutive figure when compared to the jet black reigning Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs for instance. But what Hewick can do is gallop hard and fast – and for a long way.

The nine-year-old failed to complete in each of his three starts in the amateur point-to-point sphere, a fairly inauspicious start to say the least, and while he won four times from 21 attempts over hurdles not even Hanlon himself could have anticipated his subsequent meteoric rise.

As if plundering one major handicap in the form of the 2022 bet365 Gold Cup was not enough, he went on to land the Galway Plate and the American Grand National at Far Hills, where the locals probably did not know what had hit them when ‘The Shark’ rolled into town. A bigger boat, indeed.

On their return to Ireland both horse and trainer popped into the local pub for a pint of Guinness – as you do – making headlines both good and bad, although it was all good fun. And he is clearly a hugely popular horse, in an area where Willie Mullins is king.

“Any race we’ve put to him, he’s always there and never let us down,” Hanlon added.

“To have such a consistent horse like him makes such a difference to the yard, there’s a buzz everywhere.

“I was in Bagenalstown there the other day and they were all wishing me well and they’ve got Willie over the road, but they are talking to me, so that’s great.”

After living the American dream Hewick was readied for his first tilt at Gold Cup glory last March. He was running a fine race, too, albeit probably booked for minor honours, when tipping up two fences from home.

Far from that being the final chapter in this extraordinary tale, Hanlon’s pride and joy has only enhanced his reputation since, bouncing back from his Prestbury Park spill with a Grade Two victory at Sandown before finishing an honourable fourth in the French Champion Hurdle.

Paddy Hanlon on Hewick during a media morning at Shark Hanlon’s yard
Paddy Hanlon on Hewick during a media morning at Shark Hanlon’s yard (Niall Carson/PA)

Hewick’s defence of the Galway Plate during the summer was a little underwhelming, but yet again he roared back over the Christmas period, coming from the clouds to win a thrilling renewal of the King George VI Chase at Kempton, another big-race triumph that was thoroughly enjoyed by his trainer.

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant to win a King George. I knew before leaving here that there was going to be serious pace as there were six runners in it and five were front runners. I remember saying to Gavin (Sheehan) that going down the back he could be 10 lengths off them but not to stop riding him, keep going because your last two furlongs are going to be your best in the race.

“Frodon for the last five years has gone out at 100 miles per hour and I was delighted to see Paul Townend go out and take him on (aboard Allaho). When that was happening they were going too hard.

“We’ve made the running in the Gold Cup last year and in a Galway Plate and he couldn’t lie up with them – that is how hard they were going.”

With connections immediately deciding to give Hewick another break following his King George heroics, he will return to the Cotswolds fresh and seemingly in peak condition as he goes for gold once more.

Shark Hanlon and Gavin Sheehan with Hewick after winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton
Shark Hanlon and Gavin Sheehan with Hewick after winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton (Steven Paston/PA)

Just as was the case at Kempton, Hanlon is hopeful that granted suitable conditions no horse will be coming home stronger than Hewick.

“I’ve never seen a Gold Cup yet where there isn’t plenty of pace and the extra two furlongs will be a big, big help for us,” he said.

“He’s not a big horse and he’s easy enough to get fit. After Kempton he had two or three weeks off and he’s back there working now.

“He ran well in the race last year and there is no reason why he won’t run well again in it this year.

“Hopefully this year, with a clear round of jumping, he won’t be too far away.”

If Hewick does come up the famous hill in front, bars across Cheltenham and beyond should ready themselves for a Shark attack so fierce even Jaws would be quaking in his boots.



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Gainford back on board Hewick in Gold Cup

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Jordan Gainford will be reunited with Hewick in next week’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The young rider is the nine-year-old’s regular partner, steering him to a hat-trick of big-race victories in 2022 as he landed the bet365 Gold Cup, the Galway Plate and the American Grand National.

However, injuries have meant Gainford has not been on Hewick’s back competitively since his fall two fences from home in last year’s Gold Cup, with Rachael Blackmore steering him to a subsequent win at Sandown and Gavin Sheehan in the saddle for his most recent triumph in the King George at Kempton.

Having been sidelined since suffering damaged vertebrae in a fall at Naas in mid-December, Gainford made his return late last month and after enjoying his first winners since his comeback at Leopardstown on Sunday and Monday, trainer Shark Hanlon has confirmed he will be back on board Hewick at Prestbury Park.

Trainer John “Shark” Hanlon with Hewick
Trainer John “Shark” Hanlon with Hewick (Niall Carson/PA)

Hanlon said: “Jordan is going to ride the horse. I spoke to Gavin last night to tell him, he’s done nothing wrong and gave the horse a great ride (at Kempton) and he might ride him again one day.

“But Jordan is back and has ridden a couple of winners and in fairness he made the horse for me, so I think it would be only manners to let him ride him next week.

“He was down here yesterday to sit on the horse and at that stage he didn’t know if he was riding the horse or not, but he came down and schooled him. I told him the story, I said we’d have to wait and see and in fairness to him he came down and rode the horse twice in the last week.

“Jordan knows the horse well, the horse travels well for him and I’m delighted to have him on board.”

Sheehan posted a classy response to the decision on X, stating: “Huge respect to @jhanlonracing for his loyalty to Jordan and best of luck to Hewick and connections for Cheltenham.

“He gave me one of my greatest moments in the sport and I’ll always be grateful.”

BoyleSports, who sponsor Hanlon’s yard, have pledged to donate €100,000 to charity, split between the Irish Injured Jockeys and the Injured Jockeys Fund in the UK, if Hewick wins.



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Gainford stakes claim for Hewick Gold Cup ride

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Jordan Gainford is hoping to get the leg-up on Hewick in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after securing his first win since returning from a lengthy injury absence at Leopardstown.

The rider struck up a good partnership with Shark Hanlon’s charge in the spring of 2022, partnering him to win the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown before adding a Galway Plate success in the July and a famous victory in the American Grand National the following October.

However, Gainford has not ridden Hewick since the pair came to grief at the penultimate fence in last year’s Gold Cup, with the rider spending plenty of time on the sidelines due to concussion and injury.

Gavin Sheehan rode Hewick to win the King George
Gavin Sheehan rode Hewick to win the King George (John Walton/PA)

Gainford fractured two vertebrae in a fall in December, meaning he missed Hewick’s King George VI Chase success, with Gavin Sheehan in the plate as the nine-year-old came from last to first in Kempton’s Christmas showpiece.

However, having proved his fitness by partnering 16-1 shot Miss Gherkin to victory in the Anton O’Toole Handicap Hurdle, Gainford is eager to renew his relationship with Hewick in the Cheltenham highlight on Friday week.

He said: “I sat on him last week and he feels great. I’m back in tomorrow for another sit on him. He’s bouncing at home and fingers crossed I get back on him.

“Hopefully he keeps thriving between now and Cheltenham and the ground is good.”

Gainford had had just a handful of rides since his return at the end of last month and he is eager to push on with his first winner now secured.

He said: “It’s great to be back, first of all. It’s busy in Gordon’s (Elliott) and I’m in Shark’s tomorrow and it’s great to be on the scoresheet.

“I’ve many people to thank. Gavin Egan in RACE and Graham Harrison, the fitness coach, and also Jennifer (Pugh) and Adrian (McGoldrick). A massive thanks to them all.

“Hopefully I’m getting better every day and we can drive on.”

Of Miss Gherkin, he added: “Peter (Croke, trainer) was confident that she would run well. She’d a promising run on her first run over hurdles in Tramore and things didn’t go right on her last two runs. She was a little bit keen here at Christmas.

“They flew early today and I wanted to take her back. Every time she passed a horse from the second last home, she put down her head and tried. She showed a nice attitude.”



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