A horse walks into a bar . . . Hewick receives hero's welcome - in the pub

When you hear a joke that starts 'a horse walks into a bar', you are often left waiting for the punchline.

However, that was not the case on Monday afternoon when US Grand National hero Hewick was paraded by trainer Shark Hanlon in The Pint Depot, County Carlow.

The seven-year-old was led into the pub by his trainer on his return from the US, where he won prize-money of more than £111,000 with victory at Far Hills.

In a video posted on Twitter, Hanlon guides his pride and joy Hewick through the doors of the pub before asking for a pint of Guinness for his stable star.

Hewick, who is a general 25-1 shot for next year's Grand National at Aintree, enjoyed a quick sip while taking in the celebrations following his wide-margin success.

Purchased for just €850 in 2017, Hewick has become something of a national hero in Ireland after scooping prize-money of close to £250,000.

Hewick has taken his career to a new level in 2022, having landed the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April and the Galway Plate in July.

Before Hanlon can start thinking about running the son of Virtual in the Grand National in April, Hewick could take his chance against the likes of A Plus Tard and Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, for which he has received quotes of 25-1.

Read this next:

'We had mighty craic' – Shark parties after Hewick's American Grand National win

The Big Jump Off is here! Dave Orton and leading Racing Post tipsters Paul Kealy and Tom Segal give us their exclusive views, analysis, ante-post tips and horses to follow for the 2022-23 National Hunt season. WATCH NOW.