Bargain €850 buy Hewick routs bet365 Gold Cup field for Shark Hanlon

Saturday: bet365 Gold Cup, Sandown

Hewick may have only cost the price of a cow but he showed a far greater turn of foot when bounding clear in the bet365 Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old, who was bought for just €850 in 2017, has been a regular visitor to Britain this season and won the Durham National in October before being pulled up in the Midlands National last time.

While the winner returned victorious to Ireland, his trainer declared he was planning to continue the celebrations and extend his stay, a decision met with approving applause by the small pocket of Irish fans who serenaded Hanlon in the packed winner's enclosure.

"The plan was to go home this evening but the plan just changed," said Hanlon. "He was a very dear horse as he cost us just €850 – he was a good walker and was only the price of a cow.

"He was unfortunate at Uttoxeter last time and I thought he had the winning of the race before being carried out. I went and had a few quid on him today because he started bouncing in the parade ring.

"My son Paddy is 14 and rides him out. Paddy's been with him the last few days and said I should back him as he was nearly bucked off. Paddy has been pony racing and it would be his dream to ride Hewick in a race, so we'll have to come back for this one in a few years' time."

There was not much confidence in the market as Hewick was sent off at 16-1 under Jordan Gainford but never looked in danger and kept on well to finish eight lengths clear of Musical Slave. He was introduced at 33-1 by Paddy Power for the Randox Grand National.

"There's nothing set in stone but he'll probably end up as a National horse," added Hanlon. "He won't handle soft ground but he's a tough little horse. He's not the fastest but luckily he's got plenty of gears."

Hewick jumps clear of his rivals to land Sandown's feature handicapCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The result was in no doubt on the straight but that did not stop his owner TJ McDonald anxiously pacing outside the parade ring and screaming home his winner as he watched him on the big screen.

"I can't believe he won so well," said McDonald. "His odds were a bit crazy during the week and I started to think he couldn't win it, but then the race cut up. I didn't have a penny on him but the prize-money is enough! I've got a few horses but this is my biggest win.

"It used to be a big deal for me having a runner in a handicap, let alone winning a Graded race at a track like this. We've got a bit of a travelling party and it's great for everybody who works in the yard."

Results, replays and analysis

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