Oscar Rock is expected to make a smooth transition to hurdles

The second highest-rated Bumper horse in Britain last season, this rising star of racing switched in the summer from Harry Fry’s stables in Dorset to Jefferson’s long-established yard on the outskirts of Malton.

Owner Graham Calder and his wife wanted their horses trained closer to their North West base. The fact that they have a holiday home at Scampston means they can watch Oscar Rock, and two other horses that run in their colours, on 
Jefferson’s gallops.

In-form Brian Hughes takes the ride on Oscar Rock in today’s opener and Jefferson is confident – without becoming carried way – of the horse making a smooth transition to hurdles.

“He’s a nice horse and he’s done nothing wrong, winning two Bumpers at Newbury last season,” said Jefferson who also confirmed that Cape Tribulation is an intended runner in tomorrow’s Charlie Hall.

“He had been schooled well before he came here, and what I have seen of him at home confirms what he has done on the course to date.

“I don’t know how strong the race is, but we are expecting a good run. He is an athletic horse who has a very exciting future.”

A naturally reserved individual, Jefferson is reluctant to specify any long-term targets – but it will be disappointing if Oscar Rock does not become a Cheltenham Festival contender in time.

Jefferson also saddles Mac Aeda in today’s feature bet365.com Handicap Chase which also features the return of Sue Smith’s course winner Green Wizard and the JP McManus-owned Cantlow.

With AP McCoy riding for McManus in Down Royal, Gold Cup-winning jockey Barry Geraghty takes the ride on Cantlow and his trainer Paul Webber 
offered an upbeat assessment of his horse who had to be withdrawn from his intended race at the Cheltenham Festival with the equine equivalent of a nose bleed.

“His first season over fences was good in parts, but it was terribly disappointing at Cheltenham. He had a tiny bit of blood from a little nasal passage about 12 centimetres up his nostril,” said Webber.

“It was nothing from his lung, so it wouldn’t have affected the way he ran, but any visible blood means you have to have a non-runner. It was a very peculiar thing to happen and hopefully we won’t have a reoccurrence. There are no easy races when you are rated 141, but I am sure he will run well.”

The likely going is good to soft. Meanwhile McCoy, still nine short of his 4,000th success after a blank day at Stratford, is likely to be at Wetherby tomorrow to partner Cheltenham winner At Fishers Cross in the feature hurdle.

It is probable that he will pick up an eyecatching spare ride on Tony Martin’s Irish raider Benefficient, the conqueror of Dynase in the Jewson, in a potentially vintage renewal of the Charlie Hall.

Declarations close this morning and every indication suggests that Long Run, the 2012 Gold Cup hero, will be a confirmed runner.