Diamond Racing’s star, who returned from over a year on the sidelines to win a Grade 3 handicap chase at Warwick earlier this month, could be aimed at the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil in late May.
Options are open for the 10-year-old, who won the 2020 Coral Welsh Grand National on his previous start, but Paris is under consideration and his 25 owners are counting down the days to his next appearance.
“What next is the biggest question,” admits Diamond Racing’s manager Kevin Burgess. “But his trainer Sam Thomas likes the idea of sending him to Paris for the French Grand National in May where he might just get the bad ground he loves.”
Kevin also reveals the Grand National itself at Aintree in April is still a target. “The big one everyone’s asking about is Aintree, which is a possibility,” he adds. “He would have to run again before mid-February to qualify but his welfare comes first and if we don’t think he’s ready we’ll turn our attentions elsewhere.
“He’s a horse we have to be canny with as he needs plenty of time between his races. He doesn’t eat that well so Sam struggles to get that strength back into him quickly after a race.”
Iwilldoit had been held up by a leg problem after galloping his rivals into submission at Chepstow two Christmases ago but looked as good as ever at Warwick under Stan Sheppard.
“It was a pretty special day. He’d been off the track over a year but Sam said he’d got him as fit as possible at home so we hoped he’d do himself justice as he’d run well fresh before. It would be a bit strong to say we expected him to win like he did but we weren’t surprised he ran so well.”
Kevin says the presence of 20 owners and guests made the Warwick victory extra special. “It was nice we had owners there because when he won the Welsh National there were Covid restrictions in place and none of them could go.
“Warwick were fantastic as they gave us extra badges and even on the day managed to squeeze a few more in, so it was pretty busy in the owners’ room afterwards.”
Iwilldoit has owners in the horse from all walks of life, with percentages ranging from one to 10. One is a civil servant, another a secretary and some pay as little as £79.95 a month. “They’re all normal people which makes it such a great story,” adds Kevin.
The 155-rated gelding has won six of his 18 starts and has now amassed over £180,000 for his owners. Indeed, he could soon be adding to his excellent record of four wins from just five races over fences – possibly even in Paris.
Diamond Racing racehorse syndicates was formed in June 1994 with the ambition of bringing a genuine racehorse ownership experience to the racing enthusiast.
Search a range of ownership options near you.
