Shark Hanlon is "95 per cent sure" Hewick will head to Wetherby on Saturday for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.
The bet365 Gold Cup, American Grand National, Galway Plate and King George VI Chase hero made a victorious return to action over difficulties at Thurles previously this month, when ridden by the fitness instructor's kid Paddy Hanlon, and is set to return to the larger challenges this weekend.
Hewick is likewise gone into in the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday, a race in which he completed a close 2nd last season, however the possibility of drier ground in West Yorkshire means Hanlon is currently favouring a trip across the Irish Sea.
"It's not set in stone yet, however I'm 95 percent sure we'll go to the Charlie Hall," he stated.
"There's rain entering Down Royal and they have actually been watering for the last 2 weeks. We might wind up with yielding to soft ground and if that occurred we 'd definitely go the other method.
"Recently in Thurles he was great and Paddy was great on him. We have not decided who will ride him this weekend yet, possibly simply returning over fences we might put Gavin (Sheehan) back on him, we'll see.
Hewick after victory at Thurles (Thomas Weekes/PA)
"It's a great possibility for him to win another great pot on Saturday. There's a couple of good horses in the Down Royal race and a few good horses in Wetherby, but isn't he entitled to take his opportunity no matter where we go?"
Hewick ended up a reputable eighth in the Grand National last season and while another crack at the world's most popular steeplechase is not being dismissed, his trainer is considering up another significant reward in the spring.
Hanlon added: "Down the roadway I 'd be considering the Stayers' Hurdle - I believe he could be a right horse for a Stayers' Hurdle this year."
Hewick was one of 10 horses went into for the Charlie Hall Chase on Monday, with Gordon Elliott's set of Croke Park and Stellar Story the 2 other Irish-trained competitors.
The home team consists of Patrick Neville's safeguarding champion The Real Whacker, Dan Skelton's triple Grade One winner Protektorat and Pic D'orhy, who could bid to provide Paul Nicholls with his sixth triumph in the race following the previous successes of See More Business (1999 and 2000), Silviniaco Conti (2011 ), Cyrname (2020) and Bravemansgame (2022 ).
Djelo (Venetia Williams), Ga Law (Jamie Snowden), Hang In There (Emma Lavelle) and Sam Brown (Anthony Honeyball) are the other hopefuls.
