I wondered how many runs a horse HAD to have before being entered in a handicap. I remember reading it, but I haven't been able to find it since. I'm really struggling to find another hurdle race for my horse Chick in week 2, and I am loathed to run him over fences, but also I'm struggling to find him an appropriate chase because I have others I want to enter in both the 3m and the 2m5f chases who are better than him. He was abysmally in week 1, I think because of the heavy and because the trip was a little far, but I have other horses I want to enter in the 2m4f hurdle. Horses who beat him easily in my CK trials because he gets outpaced over 2m4f. If he didn't run in week 2 would he be eligible for a handicap hurdle in week 3 on-wards, or does he need two runs?

Thanks and apologies for the question!

1 because there are handicaps in wk 2 was going to be 2 but had to be revised

So this is true for all races now? Thought it would only be the week 2 races where this would apply as there can only be one race. I do think for the G1 handicaps that it should be two races . Otherwise it's going to be open to manipulation!