Hewick returns to hurdles with easy Grand National triumph

Hewick, the winner of the prestigious $273,200 Galway Plate for steeplechasers in Ireland in July, handled a return to hurdle racing without difficulty with an easy win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Grand National at Far Hills Racecourse in New Jersey.

The result was quite a change from Hewick’s last race, when the 7-year-old gelding unseated jockey Jordan Gainford at the final fence while contending for the lead in the $199,400 Kerry Grand National steeplechase in Ireland at Listowel Racecourse on Sept. 21.

There was no such drama for Gainford and Hewick in the Grand National, run at 2 5/8 miles. Hewick was always well placed behind pacesetter Pistol Whipped and Global Citizen, who was always near the front. Gainford urged Hewick toward the front on the backstretch of the final circuit and was in control of the race on the turn.

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Hewick ($6.20) won by 11 1/2 lengths over 12-1 Noah and the Ark, who was 4 1/2 lengths clear of 15-1 Ask Paddington.

Snap Decision, the 6-5 favorite, was well placed in third or fourth for the first 1 1/2 miles, but faded from contention in the final three furlongs and finished sixth of nine starters.

Snap Decision won two Grade 1 races outside of Nashville and at Saratoga earlier this year to take a commanding lead in the race for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding steeplechaser of 2022. Snap Decision is likely to gain that title, but could have clinched the award with a better showing in the Grand National.

Hewick, an Irish-bred gelding by the Pivotal stallion Virtual, has won 8 of 29 starts and earned $504,618, all in jump races. Owned by T.J. McDonald and trained by John Hanlon, Hewick has won three races this year, including the $205,400 Bet 365 Gold Cup Steeplechase at Sandown Park near London in April.

The Galway Plate, Grand National and Bet 365 Gold Cup are Hewick’s richest wins.

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