HEWICK FAIRYTALE SET FOR ITS MOST EYE CATCHING CHAPTER YET

The fairytale story of Irish racehorse Hewick will head to the prestigious Cheltenham Festival, following the latest round of declarations. There has been increasing concern within the racing industry that victory for Monbeg Genius at either Cheltenham or in April’s Grand National would result in a negative reception, and put a huge dampener on the occasion, given the horse is owned by controversial Conservative peer Michelle Mone. Indeed, the latest betting odds suggest at least one big win for Monbeg Genius isn’t out of the question, with the 8 year old currently sitting as fifth favourite to win the Ultima Handicap and fifth in the betting odds to come home in front in the Grand National too. Thankfully for many, there are plenty more positive narratives heading into the mid-March Cheltenham showpiece, and few more so than the story surrounding trainer Shark Hanlon and his horse Hewick. Whilst many of the best horses change hands for thousands of pounds, Hanlon picked up Hewick for what has proved to be a bargain basement €850. Since doing so, the big wins have just kept on coming, starting with the bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate and American Grand National in 2022, before upsetting the odds to take the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. That most recent victory sent the total winnings spiralling past £500,000. Next on the agenda is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where a prize pot in excess of £600,000 will be shared, and Hanlon is also eyeing the Grand National where the winner takes home a further £500,000. A look at the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourites has Hewick as a 16/1 shot, and, unlike so many who tend to downplay their chances, Hanlon is happy to dream of what would be comfortably the greatest day of his career. “I think the (Grand National) trip will suit him. He’s going for the Gold Cup first and, please God, he comes out of the Gold Cup safe and if he does he’ll definitely head there (to Aintree),”  “It’s a mighty day. It’s one of those days you look forward to all year. The National, the Gold Cup and the King George at Kempton – they’re the three big days in England aren’t they, so it’s great to have a runner there.” There are still plenty of twists and turns to come but many would be happy to see Hanlon and Hewick celebrating again in the next few weeks.