Shark Hanlon 'hopeful' of getting licence back after fellow trainer Edward O'Grady fights his corner at appeal

The result of Shark Hanlon's appeal against the severity of a ten-month suspension for bringing racing into disrepute will be announced within 14 days after a hearing at the IHRB's headquarters concluded on Monday.

However, the King George VI Chase-winning trainer is optimistic his licence will be reinstated after fellow trainer Edward O'Grady provided testimony during the two-hour hearing.

O'Grady reportedly described Hanlon's ten-month suspension for transporting a dead horse in an open trailer attached to one of his branded lorries as "draconian", and Hanlon hopes the independent panel, which consists of former president of the High Court Justice Peter Kelly, Nick Wachman and Anthony Byrne, will agree.

Speaking to the Racing Post after the hearing, Hanlon said: "All I can say is that I thought we got a good and fair hearing. We'll know everything within 14 days. It would be great to get back my licence and I'm hopeful.

"Edward O'Grady said a few words and he spoke his mind. There was no pressure on him, I didn't ask him to say anything, but he was very good and I really appreciated it. To have somebody like Edward speaking for me, with the reputation and respect he has, means a lot. He came there of his own accord, he didn't have to do it – he even flew home from London to do it."

Hewick: last year's King George heroCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

With the outcome of the appeal still pending on Monday, the majority of Hanlon's horses will be sold in a dispersal sale at Doncaster this month. The trainer confirmed arrangements have been made to transport 28 horses to Britain on Saturday with up to 12 staff likely to be let go as a consequence.

Hanlon said: "I've been talking to my owners after the hearing and we're organising the lorries to take 28 horses over to England on Saturday for the sale. I've no choice."

Last Saturday Hanlon revealed an attempt to acquire a training licence for his partner and longtime head lass, Rachel O'Neill, was turned down by the IHRB until she completes the trainers' course. The most recent one was full at the time of her request.

While Hanlon's future remains uncertain, his stable star Hewick will run under the trainer's name in the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase at Punchestown on Wednesday. He said the King George winner has been the one thing that has kept him going over the last six weeks and has provided the perfect shoulder to cry on.

Hanlon said: "Hewick will run on Wednesday and we'll see how he goes before making a plan. He's not fully fit yet but he's getting there. He looks great and is coming along nicely. We're looking forward to getting him back out.

"He's the one who is keeping the whole thing going for me as he's keeping my heart up. He's the horse who's kept the show on the road. When I need to talk to somebody I go out and pour my heart out to him."

Read these next:

'This is my whole livelihood' - Shark Hanlon says 12 staff will be let go if appeal against ten-month ban is unsuccessful 

Shark Hanlon ban to begin in December pending appeal after application to have it deferred until April is rejected 

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