Oscar Whiskey set for Cheltenham challenge
February 06, 2012 13:57:47 UK
Oscar Whiskey's owner Dai Walters has revealed he will be going straight to the World Hurdle at Cheltenham after the Welsh Champion Hurdle was called off.
The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding had been set for a run out at Ffos Las on Saturday as he looked to successfully defend his Welsh Champion Hurdle before moving on to Prestbury Park for the festival.
However, adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the race and with no sign of it being rescheduled it looks as though Oscar Whiskey won't get another run out before Cheltenham.
The next challenge for Walters's will to be topple the as yet unbeaten Big Buck's in the World Hurdle.
Oscar Whiskey will be making the step up to three miles for the first time and is priced at 6.00 to get the better of the legendary Big Buck's.
Despite the cancellation of Saturday's warm-up race and never having done three miles before Walters remains confident Oscar Whiskey can give Big Buck's a run for his money at the festival.
Big Buck's is a great horse, but he hasn't had that many really good horses run against him.
Dai Walters
"I think there's every chance he'll go straight to Cheltenham now and run in the three-mile race," said Walters.
"Big Buck's is a great horse, but he hasn't had that many really good horses run against him.
"It would be nice to win, but we know it's a difficult task and as we know with horses, anything can happen in the next few weeks. I think Oscar Whisky will stay three miles and I'm looking forward to it."
Oscar Whiskey has also been entered for the Champion Hurdle, a race he finished third in last year, but judging by Walters' comments he will be going for glory in the World Hurdle instead.
Big Bucks is 1.83 to win the World Hurdle, while Thousand Stars is 10.00.
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