3 minute read
Rachael Blackmore partners Hewick when he attempts to strike at Sandown’s jumps finale meeting for the second year in a row, lining up in the bet365 Oaksey Chase.
Whereas last year John 'Shark' Hanlon's versatile performer was scoring in the handicap feature over three and three-quarter miles, his performances since have earnt him a crack at the Grade Two on the card over a mile less.
The eight-year-old – who famously cost only €850 euros – has gone from strength to strength since his victory in Esher 12 months ago, winning the Galway Plate and American Grand National before running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he was well in it before suffering a fall two out.
Having missed out on a tilt at the Grand National while recovering from his Prestbury Park exertions, Hewick was set to line up in the Punchestown Gold Cup earlier this week before conditions turned against him.
Instead he returns to Sandown for a race where he is 10lb clear of his nearest rival on ratings.
"The race is very suitable for him," said Hanlon.
"I would have loved to have run him at Punchestown but the ground there is very tacky. I know they're set to get a drop of rain at Sandown but I was talking to the clerk of the course and he said the ground would be like last year. So if it is on the soft side of good that will do perfectly.
"He was running a cracker in Cheltenham when he fell and I've tried to go down the option here of the easier route. I could have gone for the bet365 Gold Cup again, but I would be giving away two stone to everything.
"In this race it is the other way round and the opposition is giving me weight. They have to beat me this time whereas usually it's the other way round. Take the top horse (Eldorado Allen), he is rated 12lb lower than Hewick, yet has to give him 2lb. I think the race is very suitable for the horse and he is in great form."
Hewick has been ridden by Jordan Gainford in his six of his last seven starts.
However, with the young Irish pilot on the sidelines with injury, Hanlon has called up an old ally to deputise – having been one of the first to Rachael Blackmore's talents at the fledgling stages of her career.
"We have Rachael Blackmore on board and I don't think there is anything wrong with our jockey booking – we've got a great substitute," continued Hanlon.
"It's tough on Jordan because Gordon (Elliott) said he was available to go over, so it is very tough the way it has worked out. Hopefully he will be back in the saddle when we get back to Galway or somewhere."
Kim Bailey's First Flow and Joe Tizzard's Eldorado Allen are next best on official figures but the biggest danger to Hewick could be the improving Solo who has seen the form of his Pendil Novices' Chase victory franked in recent weeks.
The seven-year-old is one of two for Paul Nicholls alongside Mcfabulous as the champion trainer looks to win this contest for the fourth time in a row.
"Solo won the Pendil Novices' Chase last time and the form has worked out well – the horse who finished second of Jamie Snowden won last week at Ayr. We've kept him fresh for this," said the Ditcheat handler.
"McFabulous, his last two runs have been disappointing. He didn't go on the soft ground at Kempton on Boxing Day. He pulled up at Newbury and had an irregular heartbeat for whatever reason, but he's been fine since. But he has been out of sorts and has to bounce back from that.
"Solo I think will go very well in this, but I think Hewick is the one to beat."
Topham runner-up Fantastic Lady represents Nicky Henderson, with the field rounded off by Gary Moore's hat-trick-seeking Black Gerry – a winner of four of his six appearances this term.
"He's governed by the ground but has done amazingly well this year," said Moore.
"It won't be easy for him and he wants soft ground really, but the trip will suit him well."
Although Black Gerry may be an outsider in the Oaksey Chase, Moore holds a strong hand in the bet365 Select Hurdle with Goshen.
The enigmatic seven-year-old was a good winner of the Ascot Hurdle in November before finishing second to Paisley Park in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton. But he now has a point to prove following some below-par efforts since.
"I like to think he has a reasonable chance," said Moore.
"He hasn't once been out of the money this year and I've done some stupid things with him – I've run him over fences twice and run him at Fontwell.
"He won't be signing off because he will be running on the Flat if we have some soft ground next week, but hopefully he will be out in the field by June and July."
Thyme Hill was a Grade One winner over fences earlier in the campaign but now reverts to hurdles for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, while Nicky Henderson saddles both 2018 winner Call Me Lord and the likeable mare Theatre Glory.
The five-strong line-up is complete by Knappers Hill, who was a winner of a handicap last yearat this meeting and has performed adequately when handed some stiff assignments this term.
"If he gets two-mile-five he will go well I think. We have kept him fresh for this," said Nicholls.
"He ran twice in a week back in February which was a bit too much for him really and then we've kept him fresh for this.
"He won over two and a half at Chepstow on debut this season and definitely has a chance. I guess it will be good to soft and that will suit him well."
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