Hewick got here from final to first late on to win a dramatic King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Shishkin slipped after the second final, unseating jockey Nico de Boinville, leaving the opposite two in management.

Simply as Bravemansgame and Allaho seemed like battling it out, Hewick got here by strongly to seize victory.

“If it wasn’t a King George, I in all probability would have pulled him up,” Sheehan informed ITV Racing.

“He stays and stays. He’s a small horse however he has the most important coronary heart. To come back right here and do that’s wonderful.”

Hewick, who price simply £800, has received the Galway Plate and American Grand Nationwide, however with common pilot Jordan Gainford injured and Rachael Blackmore in motion at Leopardstown, coach Shark Hanlon opted for the in-form Sheehan.

Hanlon stated: “It is unreal. I stated to Gavin, ‘Hear, he’ll keep all day’, however they went very exhausting and he simply could not lay up with them.

“On a more durable monitor it is going to be a greater job for him, however we’re right here at this time and he received which is wonderful.

“Popping out of the again I assumed we might undoubtedly be within the first three as a result of he was simply getting right into a rhythm and simply getting going. They had been going lots exhausting in entrance.

“We knew coming right here there have been three or 4 front-runners and if we had been capable of lay up with them we might be joyful.

“Straight to Cheltenham now. It is in all probability the improper race as he ought to go for the English Nationwide however there is just one Gold Cup.”

Earlier at Kempton, Champion Hurdle winner Structure Hill claimed a simple triumph within the Christmas Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance.

The six-year-old was as a consequence of return at Newcastle earlier this month earlier than the assembly was referred to as off due to unhealthy climate, however the prolonged wait was price it.

The 1-12 favorite loved a snug nine-and-a-half-length win to remain on monitor to retain his Cheltenham crown in March.

Earlier, Il Est Francais put up a glowing leaping show to win the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on his British debut.

Paul Nicholls’ Hermes Allen briefly seemed a risk earlier than a response got here from Il Est Francais, who’s educated in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, and he quickly opened up a distance between them once more and ultimately received by 11 lengths.

“He’s a horse with so many various choices,” stated George.

“A French Gold Cup then a King George right here subsequent 12 months may be very a lot what we might be pondering, however whether or not we go to Cheltenham we must see.”