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 victorious go back to action over hurdles at Thurles earlier this month, when ridden by the trainer's child Paddy Hanlon, and is set to go back to the larger obstacles 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, but the possibility of drier ground in West Yorkshire indicates Hanlon is presently favouring a trip throughout the Irish Sea.


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


"There's rain entering Down Royal and they've been watering for the last two weeks. We might end up with accepting soft ground and if that happened we 'd definitely go the other way.


"The other day in Thurles he was great and Paddy was good on him. We haven't decided who will ride him this weekend yet, possibly just going back over fences we may put Gavin (Sheehan) back on him, we'll see.


Hewick after success at Thurles (Thomas Weekes/PA)


"It's a great chance for him to win another good pot on Saturday. There's a few excellent horses in the Down Royal race and a few excellent horses in Wetherby, but isn't he entitled to take his chance no matter where we go?"


Hewick finished a praiseworthy eighth in the Grand National last season and while another fracture at the world's most popular steeplechase is not being eliminated, his fitness instructor is considering up another major prize in the spring.


Hanlon included: "Down the roadway I 'd be believing of the Stayers' Hurdle - I think he could 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 pair of Croke Park and Stellar Story the two other Irish-trained contenders.


The home group includes Patrick Neville's protecting champion The Real Whacker, Dan Skelton's triple Grade One and Pic D'orhy, who might bid to supply Paul Nicholls with his sixth success 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.