World Hurdle: Geraghty expecting more from Oscar

"I don't think we saw the best of him, but I think he got the trip so the World Hurdle is a big option for him..."

Barry Geraghty believes Oscar Whisky was not at his best in the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday, despite him finishing a narrowly-beaten second...

Nicky Henderson's dual Aintree Hurdle winner has posed an ante-post conundrum for punters with some believing he holds a lively chance in the Champion Hurdle and others thinking he is tailor-made for the World Hurdle.

Saturday's run was only the second time he has tackled the World Hurdle trip of three miles, finishing fifth in the big race last season, and he went down only narrowly in heavy ground to Reve De Sivola.

However, Geraghty did not feel comfortable at any stage, suggesting better can be expected in March.

"He never travelled with anywhere near the same zest as he has done his last few runs," Geraghty told At The Races.

"I don't think we saw the best of him, but I think he got the trip so the World Hurdle is a big option for him."

Oscar Whisky has hardened in the betting for the World Hurdle after Saturday's encouraging effort, now trading as favourite at 6.05/1.

Look out for Brand new features with Timeform Race Passes - In-Play Hints, Running Notes & Warning Horses. Find out more at timeform.com.

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

Champion Hurdle: Binocular connections expecting big run

News / Timeform / 12 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Binocular: Winner of the 2010 Champion Hurdle

"I know AP (McCoy) came back happy after Wincanton and I was thrilled. He looked like his old self the way he jumped,"

Connections of Binocular are expecting a big run from the 2010 winner, who was unable to defend his crown 12 months ago...

The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old, Binocular, landed the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton before supplementing that with victory in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month.

"I know AP (McCoy) came back happy after Wincanton and I was thrilled. He looked like his old self the way he jumped," said trainer Nicky Henderson.

"He has got to be back where he was (to win), but it was the positive vibes that told us he was something near the same horse. It has put us right in the mix."

Binocular's regular partner Tony McCoy was also delighted with the Wincanton performance and is looking forward to taking on Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham.

"He jumped very well at Wincanton. At times he has never given the impression he's the same horse that won the Champion Hurdle," said the champion jockey.

"His run at Kempton (in the Christmas Hurdle) was better but he gave me a better feel at Wincanton.

"I think he's got a long way to go to beat Hurricane Fly, he's an exceptional horse who has won 10 Grade Ones and never looked like getting beat.

"But it is Cheltenham, and at Wincanton he felt better than he has done for a long time."
..........
Timeform TV Focus callers enjoyed over £2500 profit (to £20 level stakes at Betfair SP) in our first year. Call TV Focus for tips on all Cheltenham CH4 races.

Find out what Nicky Henderson, Jessie Harrington and Charlie Longsdon had to say about their runners in Tuesday's Cheltenham curtain-raiser, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.......

Nicky Henderson is hoping Sprinter Sacre can succeed where stablemate Finian's Rainbow failed in Tuesday's Arkle Chase at Cheltenham......

Timeform look back at the highlights from the weekend, which included the Imperial Cup at Sandown and Super Saturday at Meydan......

Amazon Watches Center