Irish coach John ‘Shark’ Hanlon could make his comeback to racing from Saturday after having his licence suspended for transporting a useless horse in public view in an open trailer.
Hanlon initially obtained a 10-month ban however this was cut to six months after an attraction and he might make an utility to droop the ultimate three months if sure circumstances had been met.
The Referrals Committee met earlier this month to think about his utility to assessment the ban and his licence was restored on February 14 within the information that he wouldn’t be capable of run any horses till March 1 as a result of a brand new ruling.
“They gave the licence again to me two weeks in the past in equity, however there is a new rule in Eire that it’s important to have horses in coaching for 14 days earlier than you possibly can run them, so we’ll be able to go once more from 1 March,” mentioned Hanlon on Tuesday.
Hanlon added that he plans to run 2023 King George VI Chase winner Hewick on this yr’s Grand Nationwide as an alternative of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which the 10-year-old is entered for.
“I feel we’ll miss the Gold Cup, the Nationwide is the plan and has been for some time.
“The handicapper has dropped him just a little bit after his final couple of runs and he will get within the Nationwide with 11st 7lb, which I feel is a pleasant weight as a result of it seems to be like 10st 10lb may very well be bottom-weight, so he would not be giving a great deal of weight to something.
“So long as we get good floor, that is the principle factor, and I would moderately go there recent than be taking up Galopin Des Champs within the Gold Cup.”