Grand National news: Gavin Sheehan’s horse Hewick has the quality, bravery and class to win
Irish jockey Gavin Sheehan, set to ride Hewick in Saturday’s Grand National, has told BetVictor that he believes the Shark Hanlon–trained 10-year-old has enough quality, bravery, and class to be competitive in the race.
The renowned jockey further explained how the Aintree event is the pinnacle for any rider.
Sheehan full of praise for Hewick
Speaking to BetVictor, Sheehan said: “If I had to describe Hewick in three words, the first word that comes to mind is small, but there’s more to him than that. The other two words I’d choose for him are brave and class. Although Shark always goes on about how he only cost 800 euros, so I could say cheap, but I’d better not say that!
“As well as jumping, stamina, and class, you need luck to win the National. He is a class horse and should be fine carrying the weight and the distance will be just fine for him. He’s a very basic jumper so he’ll need a bit of luck in that aspect. It’s all about just trying to get a nice start, getting a nice jump in at the first, then getting into a nice rhythm after two or three fences. Then you must just enjoy it.
“You need so many elements to win the race. Back in the day, luck was the biggest thing that you needed, whereas now it seems like quality is a massive factor, and there’s plenty of quality about Hewick.
“From riding in the National before, you learn that the main thing is not to try to follow another horse. As much as you must jump and run your own race, the ones in front of you could still fall and take your chance away from you.”
READ MORE: Grand National news: Course changes are bad for the race but good for Hewick, says Gavin Sheehan
Grand National different to any other raceday
Sheehan described the feelings jockeys experience in the build-up to the National, highlighting the nerves and excitement that take over on the day.
“In my mind, the Grand National is the biggest race for a jump jockey. It’s a very different occasion to a normal raceday. There’s always a big build-up and you start to get nerves and excitement even from the declarations stage. It’s a lot to take in beforehand and there are so many emotions going through your head doing the course walk.
“The nerves and excitement are heightened beforehand because of that thought of what could be – the dream is still very much alive before the race.”
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