Hewick on course for another French Champion Hurdle bid

Hewick is off on his travels again as he bids to go one better than last year in the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil, the French Champion Hurdle.

Shark Hanlon’s 2023 King George winner finished second to Losange Bleu 12 months ago and the pair are on course to meet again on May 17.

Should he run well, then Hanlon will give serious consideration to another crack at America’s Grand National Hurdle Stakes, which he won in 2022.

“We are definitely going to France. He is in great form,” said Hanlon, who also saddled Hewick to finish fourth behind Theleme at Auteuil in 2023.

“After France, he will get his break and we’ll make a decision – I’d love to go back to America. I’ll have talks with the owners and see what they want to do.

“There are a few good pots around this year too, so we will wait and see.

“We have no decision on who is going to ride him yet, we will sit down and talk about it.”

With regards the Auteuil feature, Willie Mullins has entered Il Etait Temps, who returned to action with a sensational win at Sandown on the last day of the season, while Joseph O’Brien could run Home By The Lee.