Hanlon Favouring Charlie Hall Test For Hewick

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


Hewick is likewise entered in the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, a race in which he finished 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, but I'm 95 percent sure we'll go to the Charlie Hall," he stated.


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


"Recently in Thurles he was excellent and Paddy was great on him. We haven't chosen who will ride him this weekend yet, perhaps simply returning over fences we might 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 nice pot on Saturday. There's a couple of good horses in the Down Royal race and a couple of good horses in Wetherby, but isn't he entitled to take his opportunity 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 famous steeplechase is not being eliminated, his trainer is eyeing up another significant prize in the spring.


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


Hewick was one of 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 team includes Patrick Neville's protecting 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 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.