Hanlon Favouring Charlie Hall Test For Hewick
Shark Hanlon is "95 per cent sure" Hewick will head to Wetherby on Saturday for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.
The bet365 Gold Cup, American Grand National, Galway Plate and King George VI Chase hero made a victorious go back to action over obstacles at Thurles previously this month, when ridden by the fitness instructor's kid Paddy Hanlon, and is set to go back to the larger challenges this weekend.
Hewick is also entered in the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, a race in which he ended up a close 2nd last season, however the possibility of drier ground in West Yorkshire indicates Hanlon is currently favouring a trip throughout the Irish Sea.
"It's not set in stone yet, but I'm 95 percent sure we'll go to the Charlie Hall," he said.
"There's rain entering into Down Royal and they have actually been watering for the last 2 weeks. We could wind up with yielding to soft ground and if that happened we 'd certainly go the other way.
"A few days ago in Thurles he was excellent and Paddy was great on him. We haven't decided who will ride him this weekend yet, possibly just going back over fences we might put Gavin (Sheehan) back on him, we'll see.
Hewick after triumph at Thurles (Thomas Weekes/PA)
"It's an excellent opportunity for him to win another great pot on Saturday. There's a couple of excellent horses in the Down Royal race and a couple of excellent horses in Wetherby, but isn't he entitled to take his opportunity no matter where we go?"
Hewick ended up a praiseworthy eighth in the Grand National last season and while another at the world's most well-known steeplechase is not being ruled out, his trainer is considering up another major prize in the spring.
Hanlon added: "Down the roadway I 'd be considering the Stayers' Hurdle - I believe he might be a best horse for a Stayers' Hurdle this year."
Hewick was among 10 horses entered for the Charlie Hall Chase on Monday, with Gordon Elliott's set of Croke Park and Stellar Story the two other Irish-trained contenders.
The home group includes Patrick Neville's protecting champ The Real Whacker, Dan Skelton's triple Grade One winner Protektorat and Pic D'orhy, who might bid to supply Paul Nicholls with his 6th triumph in the race following the previous successes of See More Business (1999 and 2000), Silviniaco Conti (2011 ), Cyrname (2020) and Bravemansgame (2022 ).
Djelo (Venetia Williams), Ga Law (Jamie Snowden), Hang In There (Emma Lavelle) and Sam Brown (Anthony Honeyball) are the other hopefuls.