As the 2025 Grand National approaches on April 5 at Aintree Racecourse, one horse has captured the imagination of racing enthusiasts, bettors, and the wider public alike: Hewick.
This ten-year-old gelding, trained by the ever-colourful John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, has gone from a bargain buy to a serious contender for one of the most prestigious prizes in horse racing.
Snapped up for just £800 in Goresbridge, Ireland, Hewick has defied expectations at every turn, notching up triumphs in the King George VI Chase, the Galway Plate, and the American Grand National.
His remarkable run has amassed over £750,000 in winnings for owner TJ McDonald, while his growing popularity has turned him into something of a folk hero.
He even made an appearance inside his local pub to celebrate winning the American Grand National in 2022 – and may have slurped the head of an ice-cold Guinness!
Hewick Odds
Lately, the betting markets have exploded with support for Hewick. Once available at a distant 50/1, his odds have tumbled to as low as 8/1, driven by mounting confidence from punters.
Bookmakers are already anticipating a financial hit should the conditions favour his preferred good ground.
Trainer Shark Hanlon has made no secret of his belief in Hewick, even suggesting he could be the favourite for the £1 million race.
Hanlon, who has closely monitored Hewick’s preparations, is convinced that everything is falling into place. Speaking exclusively with
BoyleSports, Hanlon said: “If we get nice ground, Hewick is going to Aintree with a massive chance. He schooled over the National fences recently at Curragh and really enjoyed himself.
“Everything is going to plan so far and he had a great win to improve his confidence under Paddy (Hanlon, John’s son) at Thurles. He’s a horse that the public love, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went off favourite at Aintree.”
Brian O’Keefe
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, echoed this sentiment, adding: “We’ve had a number of well-backed horses ahead of this year’s Grand National, but none more so than Hewick.
“He’s by far the biggest liability in our book, but what a fairy-tale story it would be in the world’s most famous race.”
Further fuelling the excitement is the confirmation that top jockey Gavin Sheehan will reunite with Hewick for the Grand National.
Sheehan, who guided him to a sensational King George VI Chase victory, knows exactly what it takes to get the best out of the “little warrior.”
The decision to reappoint Sheehan, combined with favourable weather forecasts, has only accelerated Hewick’s growing status as a frontrunner.
Aintree Challenge
Hewick’s final warm-up race – a hurdles victory at Thurles – further cemented his credentials ahead of the gruelling four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong Grand National test.
The Aintree course, with its iconic fences, is one of the toughest in racing – demanding stamina, strategy, and an unbreakable spirit.
With Sheehan in the saddle and momentum on their side, Hewick’s camp believes he has all the ingredients to conquer the challenge.
His journey from a low-cost gamble to a potential Grand National hero embodies everything that makes the sport so captivating – underdog stories, relentless ambition, and the chance to write history.
As the countdown to April 5 heats up, the racing world waits to see if Hewick can turn this incredible fairy-tale into reality.
