Hewick set for another tilt at the French Champion Hurdle

Shark Hanlon's stable star Hewick will line up in the 2025 Grade 1 Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil Hurdle, or in other words, the French Champion Hurdle, on Saturday at Auteuil with Gavin Sheehan booked for the mount.

The globetrotting superstar has already tasted global success when landing the American Grand National at Far Hills, and he also sprang a big shock when landing the King George at Kempton.

So, how strong a chance does Hewick have in this year's renewal of the Champion Hurdle?

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Losange Bleu is the one they all have to beat

Hewick finished runner-up to French star Losange Bleu in last year's running and will face the same challenger 12 months on. The French horse is the current market leader, with Hewick trading as a clear second favourite.

Losange Bleu arrives here off the back of an impressive victory in a Grade 2 hurdle at Auteuil over slightly shorter which should have him primed for the defence of his crown, while Hewick is coming here off the back of a solid eighth in the Grand National at Aintree.

Shark Hanlon plans to send Hewick across the Atlantic Ocean yet again this year to try and land another American Grand National, but all attention is on this magnificent contest with an offering of €390,000 up for grabs first.

Will the weather gods be in Shark's favour?

Hewick needs good ground to be seen to best effect and with temperatures soaring combined with clear skies, there's a small chance that the ground will dry up enough for him to have a solid chance.

It must be stated that the ground at present is described as 'very soft', and if it stays that way, it will certainly diminish Hewick's chances of success.

Hewick is a very slight horse and doesn't look like much physically, which is probably why Shark got to purchase this lad at an incredible €850 back in the day, which is arguably the best purchase of all time.

Now ten years old, Hewick's best days are clearly behind him, but the veteran might have another good year left in him before his form starts to regress fully. Credit must go to Shark for always going for the best pots available.

Are there other challengers worth noting?

The British will be represented by the Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral, who admittedly will need to improve a good deal on official ratings to trouble the front pair in the market.

Last seen finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle behind Hiddenvalley Lake at Aintree, he will need to step up a lot on that effort to play a part, but at least the ground may well be in his favour.

It's also worth noting that Monmiral started out his career in France and won his maiden hurdle at Auteuil back in 2020, so he might appreciate the return to familiar territory. All in all, it looks set to be a cracking race.