Geraghty has belief in Oscar to deliver the goods

BARRY Geraghty still believes that the enigmatic Oscar Whisky can conquer Cheltenham’s hill at the National Hunt Festival – despite being beaten by Reve De Sivola in the Cleeve Hurdle.
Oscar Whisky ridden by Barry GeraghtyOscar Whisky ridden by Barry Geraghty
Oscar Whisky ridden by Barry Geraghty

Geraghty, now one of the most successful Festival jockeys in history, is convinced that Oscar Whisky stays three miles – even though he was well-beaten by Big Buck’s in last year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

With the record-breaking Big Buck’s sidelined with a season-ending injury, this season’s renewal is wide open and trainer Nicky Henderson has been torn between running Oscar Whisky in the World Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle over the minimum distance of two miles.

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This, after all, was a horse who was good enough to finish third to Hurricane Fly in 2011, but Geraghty believes the heavy ground on Saturday may have played to the strengths of a Richard Johnson-inspired Reve De Sivola.

“He never travelled with anywhere near the same zest as he has done his last few runs,” said Geraghty yesterday. “We beat Crack Away Jack 19 lengths the last day, yet he was on my tail the whole way and I could never shake him off. 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.

“At two-and-a-half miles I wasn’t going anywhere near as well as I should have been, or even at two miles. I think Reve De Sivola is the one to beat in March, but he might be ground dependent.”

Meanwhile a buoyant David Bridgwater says the victory of the Venetia Williams-trained Katenko at Cheltenham on Saturday has boosted the Gold Cup chances of his Wyck Hill.

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Wyck Hill beat Katenko at 
Ascot last month from 6lb out of the handicap and will now run in the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton next month.

He holds an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and will be entered in the John Smith’s Grand National – early declarations for this year’s renewal close today.

“I was rubbing my hands watching Katenko, it makes us look a very well-handicapped horse,” said Bridgwater.

“The Gold Cup is wide open this year so if we were to win well at Kempton, we’d probably take our chance because Bobs Worth has had his problems and I still think Long Run is the one to beat. I’ve no doubt that our horse is better than Katenko.

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“He’s improved bundles since the Ascot race and goes to the Racing Plus Chase, nothing has changed.

“If we’re third or fourth at Kempton, he’ll probably go straight to the National.

“If he wins he’d be handicapped out of the races at the Festival, you’re better off trying to get placed in the Gold Cup rather than giving lumps of weight away.”

Bridgwater was also glad that The Giant Bolster, last year’s gallant Gold Cup runner-up, sidestepped a gruelling renewal of the Argento Chase which was bravely won by Cape Tribulation for Malton trainer Malcolm Jefferson.

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The Giant Bolster will now head for the Denman Chase on February 9 at Newbury, provided the going is not too testing.

With Grands Crus doing little to enhance his Gold Cup claims when pulled up in the Argento, Bridgwater hopes regular pilot Tom Scudamore will be available for his stable star.

“I don’t think many people learned much from Cheltenham on Saturday regarding March as the ground was so bad,” said Bridgwater.

“I can’t understand the price of Imperial Commander. He was as good as Kauto Star and Denman and looked as good as ever to me on Saturday – he’ll be in the mix that’s for sure.

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“While it wasn’t nice to see Grands Crus pulled up, I think it means we’ll have our jockey back in the Gold Cup. He knows him very well.”

As for Grands Crus, his trainer David Pipe says all plans are on hold.

This talented grey underwent a wind op after pulling up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last November. There is a view that the Argento Chase exertions came too soon after the horse finished a creditable third to Long Run in Kempton’s King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

“The very testing ground would have been softer than ideal, but I would not dream of offering that up as an excuse for this lacklustre effort,” said Pipe.

“He returned feeling sorry for himself and was quiet on Sunday. He will be freshened up now and all plans are on hold.”