THE Listowel Races are in full swing this week with local trainer, John Shark Hanlon, having runners most days. All eyes will be on Hewick, who won the Betway 365 Gold Cup in Sandown in April and followed this up with victory in the valuable Galway Plate. This time the dual big-money winner goes in the Kerry National on Wednesday and the fact that he is there at all must mean his trainer feels is hopeful.

Jordan Gainford will be hoping for more success on Hewick in the Kerry National in Listowel on Wednesday
Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie

“He is top weight. 10 lbs more than any other horse which is going to be hard to win. He is in great form and he is definitely is going to take his chance. With a bit of luck, he won’t be far away,” said Shark.

Also in the field are El Barra and Bacardys from the Willie Mullins yard,  the Joseph O’Brien pair,  Darasso and Wave of the Sea and the 150/1 winner of the 2021 Irish Grand National Freewheelin Dylan who is trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin. There are plenty more entries who will all feel they have a chance.

“It is a real good race but when you are talking about €200,000 in prize money you are really going to meet those horses. You are meeting the best that is there and we have to take our chances,” said Hanlon.

Hewick will once again be ridden by Jordan Gainsford who partnered the horse to victory in his previous runs.

“We are keeping the pair together and the two get on so well together it is the thing to do,” confirmed the trainer.

By Kieran Murphy