Hanlon Favouring Charlie Hall Test For Hewick

Shark Hanlon is "95 percent 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 triumphant go back to action over hurdles at Thurles previously this month, when ridden by the fitness instructor's boy Paddy Hanlon, and is set to return to the larger barriers this weekend.


Hewick is likewise 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 means Hanlon is currently favouring a trip across the Irish Sea.


"It's not set in stone yet, however I'm 95 per cent sure we'll go to the Charlie Hall," he stated.


"There's rain entering 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.


"Recently in Thurles he was very great and Paddy was excellent on him. We have not decided who will ride him this weekend yet, maybe just going back over fences we may put Gavin (Sheehan) back on him, we'll see.


Hewick after victory at Thurles (Thomas Weekes/PA)


"It's a good chance for him to win another good pot on Saturday. There's a couple of good horses in the Down Royal race and a few great 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 crack at the world's most well-known steeplechase is not being ruled out, his fitness instructor is considering up another major reward in the spring.


Hanlon added: "Down the road I 'd be considering the Stayers' Hurdle - I think he might be a best horse for a Stayers' Hurdle this year."


Hewick was one of 10 horses went into for the Charlie Hall Chase on Monday, with Gordon Elliott's pair of Croke Park and Stellar Story the two other Irish-trained contenders.


The home group includes Patrick Neville's defending champion The Real Whacker, Dan Skelton's triple Grade One winner Protektorat and Pic D'orhy, who could bid to supply Paul Nicholls with his sixth victory in the race following the previous successes of See More Business (1999 and 2000), Silviniaco Conti (2011 ), Cyrname (2020) and Bravemansgame (2022 ).


Djelo ( Williams), Ga Law (Jamie Snowden), Hang In There (Emma Lavelle) and Sam Brown (Anthony Honeyball) are the other hopefuls.