Oscar Whisky on track for Cheltenham

The Nicky Henderson-trained horse was due to run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las but was entered into the race at Kempton after the Welsh meeting was abandoned due to the adverse weather.
Many thought he could struggle due to the extra travelling he had to do through the day but Barry Geraghty rode him brilliantly, keeping him on the heels of leader Milgen Bay before cutting him lose with a furlong to go, which enabled him to ease home ahead of Sir Harry Ormersher.
Oscar Whiskey will now face a much sterner test in what could be his next appearance when he faces Big Bucks in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Festival, and his camp are sure to go into the race full of confidence.
Henderson says they will now ease off his training now and will be doing all they can to make sure he is in top shape for jump racing’s biggest event.
“Barry reckoned that was the first time they have gone a proper gallop all day, and he thought it rode like the best race” Nicholls told Sky Sports.
“This has been useful because we can back off him a bit now, the only other race for him would have been the National Spirit at Fontwell but that was close enough to Cheltenham. It’s job done today.”