Oscar Rock set up for feature at Cheltenham

Malcolm Jefferson
. Picture: Gerard Binks. — Malcolm Jefferson . Picture: Gerard Binks.

MALCOLM Jefferson is targeting the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup for Oscar Rock after the seven-year-old made a successful reappearance in the Racing FX Prelude Chase Handicap at Market Rasen.

The 4-1 joint-favourite, who was unlucky to fall three out in Ayr’s champion novice chase when last seen in April, travelled well throughout and finished best of all under a patient Brian Hughes.

Oscar Rock earned a quote of 20-1 with the sponsors for the Cheltenham feature on November 14.

“He travelled well and jumped well. He was very unlucky at Ayr in the spring,” said Malton-based Jefferson.

“He’s a nice horse and he likes this sort of ground and I think this is his trip.

“He did everything right, but a few of my horses went to Perth, looked like winning and didn’t. I wondered if he’d do the same, but he doesn’t need a lot of work.

“Hopefully the handicapper won’t murder him. They can stop horses very quickly.

“All being well he might go straight for the Paddy Power now. He likes a good month between his races and we start October shortly, but I think he does like decent ground.”