Ante-post drama as well-backed Betfair Hurdle favourite isn't qualified to run

Good Risk At All, a well-supported 10-1 joint-favourite for the Betfair Hurdle on February 12, is not qualified to run in the race, it has emerged.

The six-year-old was given a mark of 124 by the handicapper after finishing second in his first two starts over hurdles, but needs to have run three times before January 16 to be able to run.

The Dai Walters-owned six-year-old finished second to Supreme Novices' Hurdle second favourite Jonbon at Newbury last time and holds two entries next week, but those opportunities – at Chepstow on January 17 and Exeter on January 18 – will come too late.

Trainer Sam Thomas believed he only needed the third run prior to the declaration stage and explained: "As far as I was aware he needed three runs by the declaration stage."

Betfair Hurdle: full racecard and betting

But Thomas admitted Good Risk At All may not have got into the race anyway. "He has a handicap mark of 124 and even if he won next week he'd get a 5lb penalty, which even then might not have been enough to get him in," he said.

"We're not bothered, the Betfair was a bit of an afterthought, I only entered him because entries were going to close yesterday."

Handicaps could still be on the agenda for Good Risk At All, but Thomas is more concerned about getting him more racecourse experience.

He said: "We'll just try and get his head in front somewhere. He's obviously still a very nice horse, we could look at one of the handicaps at Cheltenham potentially but more importantly he needs experience so we'll find him the right opportunity now."

Thomas also issued an update on his Welsh Grand National winner Iwilldoit, who is unlikely to take in this year's Grand National at Aintree.

Iwilldoit: unlikely to line up in Grand National this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"Not this year, maybe next year," he said. "We're in no rush to get him going, I know he won well but he had a hard race. He's not one that takes his races all that well so we'll put a bit of flesh back on the bone before we start going anywhere."

"Long-distance races in soft ground are tailormade for him, it would be nice to think we could aim him at the Grand National next season. We could follow Secret Reprieve's footsteps and perhaps get him back for the trial. There's lots to look forward to."

Betfair Hurdle (Newbury, February 12)

Sponsors: 7 Stage Star, Broomfield Burg, 10 Adagio, No Ordinary Joe, I Like To Move It, 11 Jetoile, 12 Jpr One, Knappers Hill, 14 bar

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