Grand National news: Course changes are bad for the race but good for Hewick, says Gavin Sheehan

Irish jockey Gavin Sheehan, set to ride Hewick in Saturday’s Grand National, has told BetVictor that he believes recent changes to the fences and field size will have a negative impact on the race but could work in favour of his mount this year.

In a wide-ranging interview, the jockey also offered his thoughts on the Canal Turn being the toughest fence on the famous course.

Course changes to negatively impact race

Speaking to BetVictor, Sheehan said: “I don’t really like the changes they’ve been making to the Grand National in recent years. They’re taking away big factors that make the race what it is. The only thing that we’ve improved really is the quality of horses running in the race.

“The fences being smaller does help to bring in a higher quality of horse, but it also brings more speed. When the fences were bigger, jockeys and horses respected them a lot more, but now they go a lot faster into them.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy enough this year that they’re small enough for Hewick! I might’ve been a bit worried about him going up against the fences of old. You still have to jump them, but you’re just doing it with more speed now.

“People on the outside think the changes are great, but it’s taken away a lot from the race, especially with the reduced field size as well.”

READ MORE: Bookies fear Irish domination at the Grand National

Despite its size, Foinavon can catch you out

Sheehan highlighted the trio of Becher’s Brook, Foinavo, and the Canal Turn as the toughest point on the course.

“The hardest thing about the race is probably the Canal Turn. You definitely find that some fences are more challenging than others. You don’t really notice the first four fences – you just want to get over them and get into a good rhythm. Then you come to Becher’s Brook, where you try to reign your horse in, organise them, and get over it.

“The fence after that, Foinavon, is one of the smallest on the course and it can catch you out coming off of one of the bigger jumps. You can easily make a mistake there and then you’re into the Canal Turn. You go out wide to come in and you have to make sure that the other jockeys around you are on the same wavelength.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Iroko best-handicapped National contender in likely absence of Mr Vango