Hanlon delighted with Hewick ahead of Kerry National bid Shark Hanlon has given a positive update on Hewick ahead of his crack at the Kerry National in Listowel this month. The seven-year-old gelding has been off since memorably winning the Grade A Galway Plate towards the end of July. “I’ve never seen him in as good a form. I haven’t worked him since (the Galway Plate) because he’s a horse that doesn’t need a lot of work," the trainer said. “I’ll probably only do one or two bits of work before the Kerry National, but he’s in great form. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get Jordan (Gainford) to ride him again. He’s won two big pots on him, the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and the Plate, and gets on very well with the horse.” Hallowed Star, who routed the field in a Grade B handicap Hurdle at the Galway Festival, makes his debut over fences in Ballybrit on Monday. Hanlon said: “He schooled in the Curragh the other day and I’m looking forward to him running in a beginners chase at Galway - I think he’s a little bit special. “I’ve always had big hopes for him over fences and he’s getting his act together now.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
