Shark Hanlon's Hewick to be ridden by Gavin Sheehan in King George

Gavin Sheehan is set to partner Hewick for the first time in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

Trainer Shark Hanlon was on the lookout for a new rider for his stable star, with his regular partner Jordan Gainford sidelined by injury.

Rachael Blackmore stepped in to steer the eight-year-old to victory in the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown in the spring, but is set to be in action at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, while Brian Hughes was on board Hewick on his latest outing in the Galway Plate but is also unavailable.

Hanlon has therefore turned to one of the most in-form jockeys in the weighing room in Sheehan, who won last month's Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Datsalrightgino and last week produced a similarly brilliant ride when guiding Fugitif to a last-gasp victory in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

"We’re just after sorting it this (Thursday) morning – Gavin Sheehan is going to ride," said Hanlon.

"I know he had the chance of a good book of rides somewhere else, so I wasn’t sure if he’d ride him or not, but he came back this morning and said 'the horse has as good a chance as any other horse in the race and I’d love to ride him’, which is great.

"He’s a jockey in great form, he knows the track and he knows the English horses, so it’s great to have him on board."

Hewick has enjoyed a fairytale rise through the ranks, winning the bet365 Gold Cup, the Galway Plate and the American Grand National during a whirlwind 2022 campaign.

He was well beaten when last seen in action defending his Galway Plate crown in August, but Hanlon is delighted with his condition ahead of his festive return.

He added: "He went to the local point-to-point track this morning as the ground is beautiful and