Sheehan counting down the days to Aintree reunion with Hewick

Gavin Sheehan is relishing being reunited with “little warrior” Hewick after answering the call to partner John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s pint-sized hero in the Randox Grand National.

Sheehan memorably stepped into the breach aboard Hewick when the duo came from the clouds to record a thrilling victory in the 2023 King George VI Chase.

Now the 32-year-old hopes it is a case of history repeated in the next leg of Hewick’s incredible journey at Aintree, for which he has been heavily backed in recent days.

“He’s given me one fantastic day in my career already, he’s a remarkable horse isn’t he,” said Sheehan.

“You can’t help but love him, he’s a little warrior. He’s a special little horse and it would be a fairytale – they will probably make a movie if he wins the Grand National. It’s been some journey for the owner T J (McDonald) and Shark, but if he were to win this, it would really top it off.”

Remarkably that Kempton triumph is the sole time Sheehan has ridden Hewick, and with a packed racing calendar he is likely to next see the popular 10-year-old only moments before the tapes go up amongst the white-hot atmosphere of the National start.

It will also be a welcome return to National service for the Lambourn-based Irishman, who has not ridden in the world’s most famous steeplechase since partnering Hogan’s Height to finish 12th for Jamie Snowden in 2021.

“I would say I won’t see him until I’m getting legged up on him before the race. I never sat on him before the King George and the first time I saw him was when he was walking round the parade ring at Kempton,” explained the BetVictor ambassador.

“I did have a plan to go over there before the National, but we’re racing every day over here. I was going to try to get over, but Shark said there would be no point and that Hewick was in good form.

“Jody McGarvey schooled him the other day and Jody said he was very good, he’s a small horse to be going over those fences, but they aren’t the same as they once were.”

Hewick tuned up for Aintree by winning over hurdles under the trainer’s 17-year-old son Paddy at Thurles and Sheehan hopes his mount has both the class and good fortune to thrive in a modern-day Grand National.

“He’s run some fair races since I last sat on him and hopefully we’ll have some ground and things will be in his favour,” Sheehan said.

“He’s won over three-miles-five before at Sandown and he fits the profile. Shark has been thinking about the race for a good few years now.

“The race is down to 34 runners now, but that is still a lot of horses and you still need luck. You can get a loose horse wiping you out and you can get a horse falling in front of you and you need luck, which I guess is what makes the Grand National so special.”