Hobbs hoping Qaspal gets run

Philip Hobbs believes Qaspal will need plenty of luck just to get a run at Cheltenham despite his battling victory in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup.

The JP McManus-owned gelding picked up a 5lb penalty for winning the big handicap hurdle at Sandown on Saturday but he is still a long way off being guaranteed a run at the Festival.

The six-year-old holds entries in two races on Friday - the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

It is particularly frustrating for connections as Qaspal's success at Sandown puts him in line for Paddy Power's £75,000 bonus should he go on to win a race at Cheltenham.

"He's very good today, absolutely fine, but he'll be lucky to get a run at Cheltenham by the look of it," said the Minehead handler.

"We'll just have to play it by ear and see what happens during the week.

"It was amazing for AP (McCoy) to get down to that weight (10st 3lb)."

Hobbs also saddled runner-up Oldrik in the Imperial Cup and he holds the same two entries as Qaspal.

"He'll run there as well if he gets in but he's got the same problem," the trainer added.