Hewick retired by trainer following third place finish in Cork

People’s favourite Hewick was retired by trainer Shark Hanlon following his third place behind Reverend Hubert in the RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle in Cork last night.

People’s favourite Hewick was retired by trainer Shark Hanlon following his third place behind Reverend Hubert in the RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle in Cork last night.

The eleven-year-old, a bargain buy as a two-year-old, won eleven races during his long career, five hurdles and six chases.

His big-race successes included the Bet365 Gold Cup in Sandown, the Galway Plate and the American Grant National in 2022.

But he’ll be best remembered for the late surge which saw him collar Bravemansgame in the 2023 ‘King George’ in Kempton.

Speaking about his stable star last night, Hanlon commented; “It’s been great for everyone involved, but all good times end. It’s great to retire him on four legs and hundred per cent. And he’ll be going to a very good home in Naas with T J (owner T J McDonald).

“He never lost his enthusiasm for the game, but his feet are not as fast as they were. He’s been a real people’s horse and itt’s the end of an era for all of us.”

Victory in the Cork feature went, in impressive style, to the Charles Byrnes-trained 6/4 favourite Reverend Hubert, who bolted-up under a confident ride from Philip Enright to beta Mousey Brwon by six lengths with Hewick a distant third.

“He had a confidence-boost in the Curragh and loves that good ground,” said Enright.

“He seemed happy all the way – he jumped from hurdle to hurdle and travelled great. We know he stays well and Charles has plenty of options open to him, both on the flat and over hurdles.”

Gordon Elliott and champion-jockey Jack Kennedy completed a tremendous treble in Cork.

Hygge justified 11/10 favouritism in the Ashgrove Renewables 4-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle, stretching clear to score by eight lengths and prompting Kennedy to comment; “He was entitled to do that. He has grown up a lot and jumped well, so it was fairly straight-forward – it was a nice performance.”

Cosmos D’ainay, having his third run over obstacles, landed the DNG John Ryan Auctioneer Maiden Hurdle at the expense of Lucky Vick.

Kennedy stated, “He jumped lovely and picked-up well going to the second last - the nicer ground was a big help.”

And Sound Judgement completed the Cullentra haul when, stepping up to three miles for the first time, she outpointed Withabitofluk in the Follow Us On X Maiden Hurdle.

On his first day as a fully-fledged professional, having ridden out his claim at Roscommon on Monday, Aidan Kelly produced 14/1 shot Solitary Man with a perfectly timed challenge to foil Perceval Legallois and his stable-companion Pride Of Place in the €100,000 Kilmurray Group Midlands National in Kilbeggan.

The Enda Bolger-trained eight-year-old came from off the pace, hit the front nearing the final fence and stayed on to triumph by two and a half lengths.

“My first day as a professional couldn’t go any better,” stated the delighted winning rider.

“It was great to get the opportunity to ride him – Enda rang me before declarations, and I jumped at the chance. He jumped well but wasn’t really carrying me until Paul (Townend, on favourite Uncle Pat) came alongside me and my horse locked on. I was just hoping to get a lead down to the last and, when he got there, he had a good look.”

Earlier, Harry Cobden struck on his first ride at Kilbeggan when partnering the Tony Mullins-trained mare Paul’s Dream to an emphatic, all-the-way win in the €30,000 Writech Handicap Hurdle, beating Gameball by eight lengths.

“The track is a bit different to anything we have in England – it’s so sharp and undulating but is remarkable slow and safe," Cobden declared.

"It wasn’t the plan to go to the front, but she was always in her rhythm, quickened up well and is a lovely straight-forward mare.” Mullins added.

“We had no plan and Harry decided to jump out and make all. He said she was lucky at the second last bend, that she slipped and was right down on her head. She’s a very straightforward and honest mare. 

"And I’ve been thinking about the mares hurdle in Galway, which her mother won. And I have my eye on America too – I’d love to head out there again.”