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 return to action over hurdles at Thurles earlier this month, when ridden by the trainer's boy Paddy Hanlon, and is set to return to the bigger challenges this weekend.


Hewick is also gone into in the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, a race in which he completed a close 2nd last season, but the prospect of drier ground in West Yorkshire indicates Hanlon is presently favouring a journey throughout 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 said.


"There's rain coming into Down Royal and they've been watering for the last 2 weeks. We could end up with yielding to soft ground and if that occurred we 'd certainly go the other method.


"The other day in Thurles he was great and Paddy was good on him. We have not chosen who will ride him this weekend yet, possibly just returning over fences we might put Gavin (Sheehan) back on him, we'll see.


Hewick after triumph at Thurles (Thomas Weekes/PA)


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


Hewick completed a reputable eighth in the Grand National last season and while another fracture at the world's most well-known steeplechase is not being eliminated, his fitness instructor is considering up another significant prize in the spring.


Hanlon added: "Down the roadway 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 got in for the Charlie Hall Chase on Monday, with Gordon Elliott's pair of Croke Park and Stellar Story the 2 other Irish-trained contenders.


The home group consists of defending champion 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.