Hewick is Listowel bound for the Kerry National. © Photo Healy Racing
Shark Hanlon is dreaming of a potential Gold Cup bid with Galway Plate winner Hewick. Having seen the horses rating rise to 163 on the back of his latest win, the Carlow trainer feels that the gelding could be a contender come next March.
Speaking at Ballybrit on Saturday, after Hallowed Star won the featured handicap hurdle, Shark had further thoughts on Hewick; “Before now I was going for a National with him but I think now he might be a Gold Cup horse. That's there on top of my head.”
However, before stepping into graded company, the Shark has another big handicap prize on his radar; "we're going to Kerry now. He got 8lb but I love Kerry and Listowel has been my favourite all my life.
“We won the Kerry National before. He's going to have to give away a lot of weight but it'll be his last run of the season."
Given a bold showing under a large weight at Listowel, Hewick could very well return from his break as a genuine contender for the Cheltenham feature.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
