REIGNING Galway Plate hero Hewick will have a new jockey when defending his crown at Ballybrit next Wednesday as trainer Shark Hanlon has revealed that Brian Hughes has been called up for the big-race ride.

Hewick’s regular rider Jordan Gainford has been sidelined since the Punchestown Festival in April as he recovers from a series of concussions in the spring, and Rachael Blackmore had filled in for him when the popular chaser landed the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown, and when fourth in the French Champion Hurdle.

However, Blackmore will be unable to maintain the partnership due to her riding commitments with Henry de Bromhead, who has Gabbys Cross and Upping The Anti entered up for next week’s Tote-backed feature.

Hanlon has now called on three-time British champion National Hunt jockey Hughes, a native of Co Armagh, to ride the highly rated top-weight in the €270,000 contest. The trainer and rider have previously combined to record two winners from 16 runners together in Britain.

Speaking to The Irish Field on Thursday morning, Hanlon said: “Rachael Blackmore has been claimed to ride for Henry de Bromhead in the Plate, but Brian has just confirmed he is available and we have booked him. The better the ground, the better Hewick will be. I’m told Galway has not had as much rain as some parts of the country this week.”

British-based Hughes is seeking his first winner over jumps at Galway, having had just six National Hunt rides at the track. As an apprentice claiming 10lb, he rode the Kevin Prendergast-trained Miss Trish to success at the festival in 2003 - one of two flat winners he recorded at the Connacht venue 20 years ago.

Hewick will bid to become only the third back-to-back winner of the Galway Plate in over half a century. Life Of A Lord (1995 and 1996) and Ansar (2004 and 2005) are the only horses to have won the race in consecutive years since Ross Sea completed the double in 1964 and 1965.

Pick up The Irish Field this weekend for a special feature on Shark Hanlon and Hewick ahead of their date with destiny at Ballybrit. The jam-packed edition features a Galway Festival stable tour with insight from trainers such as Gordon Elliott, Joseph O’Brien and Gavin Cromwell on their main hopes for the meeting, as well an update form Patrick Mullins on Willie Mullins’ quality Galway squad. In shops on Saturday morning and online from 8pm Friday.