'His jumping isn't his main asset - his heart and determination is' Shark Hanlon’s stable star, Hewick, is a leading fancy for Saturday’s Grand National following recent market support and is a current 10/1 shot with BetVictor. He warmed up for the race with a win over hurdles at Thurles last month and bids to add another major prize to his achievements. Jockey and BetVictor ambassador Gavin Sheehan, who is enjoying his best ever season, will be reunited with Hewick for the first time since their stunning victory in the King George VI Chase in 2023. Sheehan had been hoping for the call up from Hanlon and told BetVictor: “I suppose I was hoping to get the call. Ever since I won the King George on Hewick, Shark said he wanted to go for the Grand National. He didn’t end up going for it that year, but it’s brilliant to be giving it a go this year. “The only time I’ve sat on him was in the King George! I was going to head over and school him over the National fences in the Curragh, but Shark got Jody McGarvey to school him over there and he said he was very good and straightforward over them, so there was no need for me to go over and school him. “Hopefully the big field and the occasion will bring him forward. They went very quick that day in the King George and his stamina came through, and there’s no doubt they’ll go quick in the National. Hopefully he’s got that early speed and we can jump off well and ride a straightforward race.” “The distance of the race and the weight he has to carry should be fine. He’ll need a bit of luck, but so will they all.” The unique Aintree fences should not pose an issue for the small horse with a big heart according to Sheehan, who is hoping the duo can beat his best finish in the Grand National which was 7th on Tranquil Sea in 2015. He added: “He’s a very basic jumper. He’s never been flamboyant over the fences, he’s just your ‘A to B’ type. He’s simple in what he does and his jumping isn’t his main asset — his heart and determination is. “Tranquil Sea was a big outsider and I was just riding to get round and pick up the pieces on him really. Hewick will be the best chance I’ve ever had in the race so I’m really looking forward to it.” Get €60 in FREE BETS with the BetVictor sign up offer:
