Hewick will not bid for the Randox Grand National glory following his fall in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at last week's Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon confirmed his stable star will not now head to Aintree Racecourse on April 15 and will be given more time to get over his exertions at Prestbury Park last Friday. The eight-year-old has showcased his talents over the past 12 months, winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April, the Galway Plate in the summer and also American Grand National in Far Hills, New Jersey in October.
Under Jordan Gainford, Hewick was running a fine race in racing's blue riband event last week, before taking a crashing fall at the second last fence, as Willie Mullins' Galopin Des Champs went on to land the Gold Cup. Thankfully Hewick suffered no injury in the fall, but Hanlon has decided the Aintree showpiece will now be off the agenda. The trainer, though, is still likely to saddle Cape Gentleman, who was bought by American owners who are the descendents of Stephen Sanford – the owner of Sergeant Murphy, who won the Grand National 100 years ago.
