Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon plans to campaign Huick with an eye on the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham before deciding whether to pursue a second Grand National attempt. The 10-year-old, who placed eighth in last year’s Aintree race, will focus on hurdles for now, entering next Friday’s Newbury Long Distance Hurdle in hopes of becoming the 2023 King George winner.
Huick started the season with a victory at Thurles, ridden by Hanlon’s son Paddy, but switched to bigger obstacles and struggled with the fast pace at the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase in Wetherby. Hanlon is now considering a clear hurdle race before deciding on future national entries, noting Paddy’s perfect record on Huick in hurdle races and expressing confidence in the horse’s strong jumping ability.
Hanlon said, “Paddy has won both rides on him, and we’re happy to have him ride again. He’s got a lot of experience and has a 100% strike rate over hurdles,” adding that the fast pace at Wetherby may have affected Huick’s performance and that the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham will be the next target before making any decisions on the Grand National.
He also mentioned that jumping from hurdles to fences isn’t an issue for Huick due to his excellent jumping skills and that he is unconcerned about the track conditions at Newbury potentially becoming soft. Hanlon explained, “The ground isn’t that bad there, and it won’t affect hurdles as much as fences because of the size of the fences and Huick’s small stature, which makes jumping less demanding.”
Fan Take: This update is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts as it highlights Huick’s versatility and potential to compete at top hurdle events, adding intrigue to the upcoming season. Hanlon’s cautious yet optimistic approach could see Huick become a prominent contender in both hurdle and national races, keeping fans eagerly watching his progress.
