Hanlon sets sights on Aintree bowl for Hewick

Hanlon made the difficult decision to withdraw his stable star from last week's blue riband due to the rain-softened ground and admitted afterwards he was considering switching his focus at Aintree.

Trainer John "Shark" Hanlon with horse Hewick. . Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

Top-weight Hewick has been officially scratched from the Randox Grand National, with trainer Shark Hanlon instead targeting the Aintree Bowl two days earlier.

Following his thrilling victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, connections had been planning a huge spring double with both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the world's most famous steeplechase on Merseyside in their sights.