Bonne chance: Kilkenny hero horse Hewick has ‘massive chance’ in France

Boylesports has installed local legend Hewick as the 9/2 joint second favourite in Saturday’s French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil.

The pint-sized nine-year-old was famously bought for a song in Goresbridge, and now he will bid to add a third Grade 1 to his CV having scored at the highest level in the American Grand National at Far Hills in 2022 and in a drama filled King George last year.

With a season hampered by bad weather, Hewick has only been sighted twice on the racetrack since his King George triumph, finishing sixth in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree before a gallant third in the Punchestown Gold Cup behind Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs.

Speaking exclusively to official stable partner, BoyleSports, Shark Hanlon said: “Hewick travelled over really well and we can’t wait for the race. There are plenty of good horses in it, but he was fourth here last year and we think he’s improved plenty since then.

“He ran a brilliant race in Punchestown and if he turns up in that form here, he has a massive chance.”

With five Irish horses travelling to the Paris venue, Irish Point has been made the 5/4 favourite for Gordon Elliott and Robcour. Already a three-time Grade 1 winner including in France, the six-year-old has finished second to State Man twice over two-miles but bolted up over three-miles in last season’s Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee is well in contention as 9/2 joint second favourite, while Willie Mullins, who has won the race five times, will rely on the enigmatic Mr Incredible, who is rated a 16/1 chance.

The home challenge is headed by Losange Bleu (15/2), who has racked up eight wins from twelve starts at the track, while John McConnell has his first runner in France with Mahler Mission (16/1).

Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “The French Champion Hurdle has been a happy hunting ground in the past to horses trained in Ireland, and with a five-pronged attack this year, we fancy the trophy to be in Irish hands again. Irish Point heads the betting, but there’s no doubt that Hewick would be the most popular winner by far.”

BoyleSports is the Official Stable Partner to John ‘Shark’ Hanlon Racing. Search #TeamHewick to follow Hewick’s journey.