horse who price simply €850 wins in dramatic fashion

There was shock and triumph within the Ladbrokes King George VI outcomes at Kempton as we speak (26 December) with relative outsider Hewick taking the spoils.

Skilled by Irishman John Joseph “Shark” Hanlon and ridden by the in-form Gavin Sheehan, Hewick, who went off at 12/1, secured victory regardless of wanting crushed within the earlier phases of the race and hitting an in-running excessive of 550/1.

“If it wasn’t the King George, I in all probability would have pulled him up,” Gavin advised ITV Racing. “I knew he stays and stays and I wasn’t in a position to get going. There’s solely a certain quantity of questions you may ask and in the event that they aren’t answering, you may’t ask.

“Shark stated earlier than he’s in all probability the smallest horse right here however he’s bought the most important coronary heart. I used to be completely delighted once I was advised that Shark was getting me on Hewick. It was a no brainer.

“To come back right here and do it like that was simply wonderful. I’m gobsmacked – that’s a King George and it’s not a race straightforward to win.”

Hewick’s victory for proprietor T J McDonald has added to his spectacular CV, which incorporates wins within the Durham Nationwide, bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate, Grand Nationwide Hurdle at Far Hills and Oaksey Chase. It’s a exceptional roll of honour for a horse who price simply €850.

“I advised Gavin that Hewick would keep all day,” stated Shark. “They went very exhausting on the entrance and he struggled to put up with them, however he stays all day. Gavin and the horse have been wonderful. We’ll go straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup with him now.”

Final yr’s winner, Bravemansgame, completed second below Harry Cobden for coach Paul Nicholls and proprietor Bryan Drew, one-and-a-half lengths adrift of Hewick.

“He ran a stunning race,” stated a visibly disillusioned Harry afterwards.

Paul Nicholls stated of Bravemansgame: “Harry (Cobden) stated he was getting a little bit of toe from the opposite horse (Shishkin) for so long as he might then the opposite horse had an unlucky incident, and that interfered with him and that stopped him lifeless and value him any probability then.

“He has run a very good strong race. It’s a case of ifs and buts. He was staying on strongly once more and picked up the crumbs. I’ve by no means doubted that he stays. He’s higher on higher floor. We are going to get him contemporary and nicely now and go to Cheltenham.

“I don’t suppose he must go to Newbury as he has had three exhausting races. Sadly, he bought stopped lifeless in his tracks as we speak, however you may’t make excuses as incidents occur and he wasn’t ok on the day.”

13/8 favorite Allaho completed a head behind Bravemansgame in third for coach Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and proprietor Cheveley Park Stud.

There was complete disbelief when the well-fancied Shishkin, who’s educated by Nicky Henderson, stumbled and unseated Nico De Boinville simply after the second final. The a number of Grade One winner began the race with out mishap having refused to race final trip, and seemed nicely in rivalry to take the win till the incident.

A really dejected Nico stated after the race: “I’m very happy with the horse and this stuff occur.”

Nicky Henderson says he nonetheless plans to ship Shishkin to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Talking of the unseat of Nico, Nicky stated: “I believe they are saying, ‘that’s racing!’

“I used to be delighted with him till then. To be truthful Nico and I had mentioned the beginning [of the race] at size however we hadn’t actually mentioned the remainder of the race. However he was having a very good time, he was leaping nice.

The Actual Whacker was fourth below Sam Twiston-Davies, whereas fan favorite Frodon gave Bryony Frost an excellent spherical of leaping, however finally completed a distant fifth.

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H&H options, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an skilled journalist, having been a part of the H&H staff since 2014, who’s keen about all equestrian sports activities, together with racing and point-to-pointing. She has loved driving out for prime trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took half in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting skills have taken her to quite a few five-star occasions round Britain and Europe, in addition to European championships.