One of the leading British-based contenders in the ante-post market for the Randox Grand National, the Sam Thomas-trained Iwilldoit, will miss the deadline for qualification and as a result not run at Aintree.
The 10-year-old won the Welsh National at Chepstow in December 2021, after which he was off for 383 days before returning to land the Classic Chase at Warwick last month. But in total he has only had five races over fences – winning four.
As the rules stipulate runners in the National must have had six races over fences by February 19, Iwilldoit has run out of time to qualify.
Thomas and owners Diamond Racing had hoped to get his final run in this weekend’s Betfair Denman Chase, but the prevailing dry spell means the ground at Newbury is riding good.
As a result his connections have taken a pull on this season’s showpiece and put the horse’s welfare first.
Diamond Racing’s director of bloodstock and racing Chris Morgan wrote on www.diamondracing.co.uk: “Iwilldoit will not be taking on the Grand National this season.
“In order to qualify for the Grand National the last opportunity for him to run was in the Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday but sadly the ground is far from suitable.
“The ground is currently good with no rain forecast and with Iwilldoit coming back into training later than normal this season due to an issue after he won the Welsh Grand National, the decision was made by Sam Thomas and ourselves not to run him on unsuitable ground.
“The welfare of our horses is always at the forefront of what we do.”
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Iwilldoit could try to book his Randox Grand National ticket by running at Newbury or Ascot next month.
Sam Thomas’ 10-year-old defied a 383-day layoff when galloping to an impressive success in the Classic Chase at Warwick – a performance that saw him cut to as short as 16-1 for the Aintree showpiece on April 15.
However, the main stumbling block post-race appeared to be the fact Iwilldoit is not yet qualified for the Merseyside marathon – and with time at a premium before the February 19 deadline to have run in at least six races over fences, Thomas was far from certain that is where he would head in the spring.
Iwilldoit’s pilot Stan Sheppard reports the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on February 11 or the Betfair Ascot Chase at Ascot a week later on February 18 are being considered in order to meet the qualification criteria.
“I believe Aintree is now the plan and that there are two races in mind, the Denman Chase over three miles at Newbury and the Ascot Chase over two-miles-five,” said Sheppard.
“He literally only needs to get around in either race as he has to have six runs over fences to qualify for the Grand National.”
Jockey Stan Sheppard and trainer Sam Thomas celebrate after Iwilldoit won The Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase during at Warwick (Nigel French/PA)
Sheppard has never ridden in a Grand National, but believes his likely mount is more than capable of handling the unique test the famous spruce provides.
He added: “I definitely think he would be fine over those fences. It was only his fifth run over fences on Saturday and he jumped better than he probably did both times I rode him at Chepstow.
“I also don’t think he needs particularly heavy ground. As long as it is not quick in the Grand National, he will be fine.”
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Iwilldoit defied a huge weight and a monster absence to win the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase for Sam Thomas.
Thomas who along with prominent owner Dai Walters was involved in a helicopter crash in November, was celebrating his first winner of the calendar year.
Winner of the Welsh National last season, Thomas and connections have had to be patient as the 10-year-old suffered a setback.
Having his first outing for 383 days, Iwilldoit travelled incredibly well in the hands of Stan Sheppard.
It was Threeunderthrufive, one of only two in the race carrying more weight than the winner, who hit the front going down the back straight for the final time – but Sheppard was still sitting pretty.
He sent him to the front turning for home and looked a class apart as he soon put distance between himself and the others.
Willie Mullins’ Mr Incredible stayed on for second, beaten two and three-quarter lengths, with Notachance third.
Racing off a 7lb-higher mark than that which he won off at Chepstow, the 12-1 winner now looks a real Aintree contender.
Paddy Power introduced him at 25-1 for the Grand National.
“We didn’t get him in till a bit later unfortunately and he missed the Welsh National. But he’s eating well and we can train him a bit differently now,” said Thomas.
Sam Thomas and Stan Sheppard lift the Classic Chase trophy (Nigel French/PA)
“Before the Welsh National last year he was hardly ridden. I’m just delighted for everyone. It’s emotional.
“He’s notoriously been a fussy eater and a worrier, but as the years have gone on he’s matured and knows what his job is – he’s certainly easier to train than he was.
“They are his conditions (heavy), the speed he was going at the start was the same speed he was going at the end, he’s very one-paced. It’s nice we can come and have a go in these big races, the softer the better for him and it is nice to see he is still able to win off that mark.
“He’s a star, he’s very genuine. You won’t find another horse to try like him – it’s very straightforward when then want to do it just like him.
“Credit to Stan who gave him a great ride and well done to team and Leah (Dix) who rides him every day. That’s what we do the job for and it is nice we can come here and take on the big boys and have a go.
“We had a good start to the season, from November onwards for obvious reasons (the crash) we struggled a bit. It’s not an easy game and you need these big winners to keep the wheel turning.”
Of an Aintree bid he said: “I don’t know, he needs another run over fences, he’s still not qualified to run in the Grand National. It’s been a whirlwind season so far, so we’ll enjoy this today and go from there.
“Maybe the Grand Steeple-Chase (French Grand National) in May would be an option. That’s what I was thinking before I came here today and you would get heavy ground. You need a Gold Cup horse to win that, but he could go and pick up some prize money.
“He would have to get an entry (for Aintree) though.”
Sheppard, who made it a double on the day when winning the last, described it as one of the biggest days in his career, with most of his other big-race glory coming behind closed doors while Covid restrictions were in place.
Stan Sheppard celebrates winning The Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase on Iwildoit during the Wigley Group Classic Chase Day at Warwick Racecourse (Nigel French/PA)
He said: “It would be right up there with the Welsh National and Betfair Hurdle, it wouldn’t be far behind them and there were people here this time, so it slightly nudges it up past the Welsh National perhaps.
“It’s a fair training performance that is. I don’t know what he will do now as he isn’t qualified to run in the National, but to win that off 147, you are probably looking at 150 plus now and the Midlands National off that looks tough.”
On his celebration when crossing the line, he added: “There were no people at Chepstow and there was today. I know how much it means to everyone, they put all the hard work at home and I just get the good 10 minutes.”
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Stan Sheppard will take the reins when Iwilldoit makes a long-awaited comeback in the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick on Saturday.
The Sam Thomas-trained gelding was last seen winning the Welsh Grand National in late 2021, a nine-length success with Sheppard in the saddle.
At Warwick the 10-year-old will return from a lengthy absence to tackle the three-mile five-furlong trip of the Classic Chase.
“He has had 383 days off the track but I believe Sam will get him there in the best order he can. We go there with a lively chance I would like to think,” said Sheppard.
“I’ve not sat him in the run up to the race. I leave it to Sam and his team with what they do with him at home but everything I’ve heard has been good and positive.
Iwilldoit and Stan Sheppard in the Welsh Grand National (David Davies/PA)
“Three-miles-five around a galloping track should suit him. There is nothing in there where you think ‘crikey that might take a bit of stopping’ and if anything it could be that Iwilldoit could be the one to take some stopping.”
Declarations for the race also include Paul Nicholls’ Threeunderthrufive, who will carry a top weight of 12 stone, and Sandy Thomson’s veteran Dingo Dollar.
Richard Hobson has Lord Du Mesnil on the list, with Henry Daly’s Fortescue and Chris Honour’s Grumpy Charley also declared.
There is a sole Irish entrant in the shape of Willie Mullins’ Mr Incredible, while Venetia Williams is represented by Commodore and Ben Pauling will saddle Nestor Park.
Charlie Longsdon has a key contender in Guetapan Collonges while Alan King’s Notachance, Emma Lavelle’s Wouldubewell, Gail Haywood’s Grand Mogul and Sheila Lewis’ Volcano complete the field.
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