Other Sites

Video Poker

Online betting and gambling at williamhill.com, the world's biggest bookmaker

Whisky team to go to Cheltenham without a prep race

The recent abandonment of the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las appears to have robbed the smart Oscar Whisky of the perfect opportunity to have a prep race ahead of his attempt to dislodge the mighty Big Buck’s from the top of the staying hurdle tree in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham races on March 15, writes Elliot Slater.

Nicky Henderson’s talented and versatile hurdler had been expected to take all the beating in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, a race dreamed up by his owner Dai Walters, the man who built the impressive new circuit in South Wales. The weather sadly intervened though and the track was frozen as a result of the severe cold snap being experienced throughout Britain and beyond, and Henderson now feels that he he’s run out of opportunities to get another run into the son of Oscar before he attempts to serve it up to Paul Nicholls’ outstanding and record breaking performer.

Oscar Whisky could run at Fontwell in the National Spirit Hurdle but that is little more than a fortnight before the big race, barely enough time to have the horse ready to take on such a fearsome opponent. Last year’s Champion Hurdle third and subsequently impressive Aintree Festival winner, has already shown plenty of high-class form this season, falling when upsides Overturn at the final flight at Ascot on his return in November in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle, before returning to winning ways with an impressive defeat of the smart Get Me Out Of Here in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham the following month. Those planning to bet on Cheltenham at Betfair will know all about this classy performer.

Last seen in action on New Year’s Day when beating Poungach by two-lengths in the Three Counties Hurdle at Cheltenham, Oscar Whisky is a horse who can go very well fresh and is unlikely to be short of his peak on the big day. Bookmakers rate the seven-year-old a 5/1 second-favourite for the World Hurdle behind Big Buck’s who is a red hot 1/2 market leader to win the race for the fourth year in succession.