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Huge Grand National Gamble on Popular Hero Hewick Sends Bookies Scrambling
Former £800 bargain buy surges in betting as Aintree looms – could Hewick become the nation’s favourite fairytale winner?
As the countdown to the 2025 Randox Grand National intensifies, all eyes are on a horse whose rags-to-riches story has captured the public’s imagination and sparked a colossal betting plunge. Hewick, the bargain £800 purchase who rose to Grade 1 glory, has been backed in from 50/1 to as short as 10/1 with some bookmakers, fuelling talk that he could go off as favourite for the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Once dubbed “the horse who stunned the world” following his shock win in the 2023 King George VI Chase, Hewick now finds himself at the centre of a sustained and widespread betting gamble, sending bookmakers into panic mode and punters dreaming of a fairytale finish at Aintree on Saturday, 5 April.
From £800 to Grand National Contender
Few horses in the modern era have captured hearts quite like Hewick, trained in County Carlow by the charismatic John ‘Shark’ Hanlon. Bought for just £800 from a Goresbridge sale in 2017, the ten-year-old has defied expectations time and again, rising through the ranks to become a Grade 1-winning chaser and one of the sport’s most recognisable names.
His crowning moment came on Boxing Day 2023, when he landed the King George VI Chase at Kempton, producing a breathtaking late surge under jockey Gavin Sheehan to snatch victory in a race overshadowed by the dramatic fall of Shishkin at the second-last.
That win confirmed what Hanlon had long believed: Hewick isn’t just a good horse – he’s a great one. And now, with good ground forecast at Aintree, he looks set to have his ideal conditions to tackle the ultimate test of stamina and jumping.
Hanlon Confirms Sheehan for Aintree Assignment
It’s now been confirmed that Gavin Sheehan, who guided Hewick to King George success, will reunite with the geldingat Aintree. The decision comes after a brief interlude, where Paddy Hanlon, the trainer’s son, partnered the horse to a win over hurdles at Thurles last month.
But with a race of this magnitude in the offing, Hanlon and owner T.J. McDonald have opted to go back to the man who delivered one of the horse’s greatest triumphs.
Speaking about the decision, Hanlon said:
“Gavin knows the horse, he believes in him, and the pair have proven they can deliver on the biggest stage. We think Aintree will suit him down to the ground.”
Why the Money Keeps Pouring In
Several factors are fuelling the huge betting momentum behind Hewick:
- Ground conditions: Aintree’s relatively flat layout and expected good ground are seen as perfect for his running style.
- Stamina and staying power: Although untried over the 4m2f trip, he’s shaped like a stayer throughout his career.
- Popularity and personality: With his underdog story, crowd-pleasing wins, and rumours of his fondness for a pint of Guinness, Hewick has become a firm fan favourite.
Bookmakers have already been “walloped” in the ante-post markets, and there’s a growing belief that if momentum continues, he could start the shortest-priced Irish-trained runner in the race – or even favourite.
Stiff Competition Awaits
Despite the enthusiasm around Hewick, he won’t have it easy. Intense Raffles, last year’s Irish Grand National winner, currently heads the market at 7/1, though questions remain over his lack of experience over Aintree’s unique spruce fences, which are handcrafted from branches sourced in the Lake District.
Then there’s I Am Maximus, the reigning champion, attempting to emulate Tiger Roll by winning back-to-back Nationals, and Iroko, an improving British-trained contender from the Greenall and Guerriero stable, well-supported at 8/1.
But while others may boast stronger form over fences or younger legs, few can match Hewick’s narrative arc—and in the Grand National, stories often matter as much as statistics.
More Than Just a Bet: A Symbol of Hope
What makes Hewick’s gamble so extraordinary is not just the odds collapse or the money being placed—it’s the sentiment behind it. In a sport often dominated by big-money purchases and powerhouse yards, Hewick is a reminder that dreams are still alive for the small owner and the brave buyer.
The Road to Aintree: Perfect Preparation?
Trainer Shark Hanlon has plotted Hewick’s path to Aintree with characteristic care. After his brilliant success in the King George, the gelding was given a short break before returning with a confidence-boosting victory over hurdles at Thurles. Though it wasn’t a headline-grabbing performance, it served its purpose—keeping the horse fit, fresh, and on course for his spring target.
Hanlon has always maintained that good ground is key, and with weather forecasts favourable in the build-up to the National, the stage could be set for Hewick to thrive. The trainer has also repeatedly expressed his belief that the horse will stay the extended trip, having finished strongly in several staying contests previously.
“He just keeps giving,” Hanlon said in a recent interview. “He’s got heart, he’s got gears, and he loves a fight. The National is a different beast, but he’s ready for it.”
The Bigger Picture: Could Hewick Change the Narrative?
The Grand National has long been the race for the people, and in recent years it has provided more than its fair share of feel-good moments. From One For Arthur’s victory for Scotland in 2017 to Tiger Roll’s dual heroics, and last year’s win by I Am Maximus, every running brings its own unique story.
But Hewick’s tale is different. This isn’t just a plucky outsider with one or two lucky wins. This is a Grade 1-winning, battle-hardened gelding who happens to come from humble beginnings. A victory here would not only be a triumph for his connections—it would be a victory for small yards and unfashionable purchases everywhere.
It would also serve as a reminder that, in an increasingly commercial sport, heart and instinct can still beat spreadsheets and syndicates.
Betting Outlook: More Market Moves to Come?
With nearly two weeks to go until the race, punters are already lining up behind Hewick, and it’s likely that the gamble will continue to gather momentum. Several firms have already reported sustained interest, not just from seasoned punters but from casual backers drawn in by the story.
If ground conditions remain as forecast, it would be no surprise to see Hewick shorten further, potentially into single-digit territory across the board. Some even suggest he could challenge for outright favouritism if support continues at the current pace.
A Gamble Rooted in More Than Just Odds
In racing, gambles come and go. Some are clever coups, others are driven by whispers and speculation. But Hewick’s gamble is different. This is a national movement, fuelled by admiration, belief, and the irresistible hope that every underdog might have its day.
Come Saturday 5 April, the eyes of the racing world will be on Aintree. Among the 34 runners will be polished prospects from powerhouse stables—but there will also be Hewick. The £800 horse. The King George hero. The one who, against all odds, might just stun the world again.
And if he does, the cheers will echo far beyond the winning post at Aintree.
