Cleeve Hurdle 2013

[Guest]

NO. HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
12 151-11 Oscar Whisky42 8 Nicky Henderson 167 147 170
14 753-21 Reve De Sivola35 8 Nick Williams 166 130 162
15 41-121 Tidal Bay29 12 Paul Nicholls 160 107 157
4 0P2-22 Crack Away Jack42 9 Tom George 151 118 154
10 1-5564 Lovcen18 8 Alan King 147 126 154
3 18-111 Coneygree42 6 Mark Bradstock 150 108 151
5 7-0026 Cross Kennon43 9 Jennie Candlish 144 117 146
11 PP-015 Mossley76 7 Robert Alan Hennessy — 99 144
1 P2-178 American Spin63 9 Luke Dace 140 144 143
8 122-13 Kentford Grey Lady21 7 Emma Lavelle 139 87 140
9 P-0P13 Knockara Beau48 10 George Charlton — 126 139
2 9-L001 Carruthers31 10 Mark Bradstock — -1 —
6 511-20 Duke Of Lucca56 8 Philip Hobbs 142 -1 —
7 7F7-1P Kauto Stone31 7 Paul Nicholls — -1 —
13 1128- Peddlers Cross317 8 Donald McCain 165 -1 —
16 45P-22 Walkon42 8 Alan King — -1 —

[Statto]

Based on the trends from the past 10 years you are looking for a horse:

· Aged 5 to 9

· Carrying 11-0 to 11-4 (or previous World Hurdle winner)

· Finished in the first 4 last time out

· Posted highest RPR in last 2 starts

· Run 1 to 5 times this season

· Run 5 to 19 times over hurdles

· Previously won or placed at Cheltenham

· Won over at least 2M 5F

· Won or placed in a graded hurdle

· Finished in first 3 in Liverpool Hurdle or Mersey Novice Hurdle

· Finished in first 3 in Relkeel, Long Walk or Long Distance Hurdle

· Ran at the 2012 Aintree Festival

· Trained by Alan King or Paul Nicholls

[johnno]

Nicky Henderson has to point to prove over Oscar Whisky and although plenty will be patting themselves on the back if he gets turned over through lack of stamina at this three-mile trip, I agree with the trainer that his run in the World Hurdle last year was simply too bad to be true. No race at the Festival has had a more topsy-turvy few weeks with its betting than the World Hurdle after Big Buck's was pulled out and punters and bookmakers alike are still looking for things to clear up. Victory in this key trial for Oscar Whisky would surely see him sent off as favourite for the World Hurdle.

Tidal Bay seems more likely to run here than in the Argento, not least because Ruby Walsh has made noises about the World Hurdle. He has been in excellent form this season and is another whose odds will come crashing down if he wins this. However, at the end of the day, there are no guarantees with Tidal Bay and much will depend upon how the race pans out - a crawl and a sprint would be no good at all.

Walkon is apparently considered a World Hurdle contender and though I can't see it myself, he could throw a spanner in the works with a big run here. Reve De Sivola is already high in the World Hurdle betting after his impressive victory in the Long Walk last time out, but is another for whom victory would surely make him ante-post favourite.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Not sure Oscar W will stay but at least they will find out tomorrow. Can't do world hurdle and aintree hurdle IMO.

[mayo]

Steve Hughes

Cheltenham 3.35: OSCAR WHISKY (2-1 William Hill)
When looking at this race before checking the odds, this had the look of a no bet race with Oscar Whisky clearly the best horse in the race, but with the potential negative of doubtful stamina over this 3m trip. However I was pleasantly surprised to see plenty of odds against being offered for this top class hurdler.

It cannot be denied that 2m4f looks to be his optimum distance, having won the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle for the past couple of seasons at that trip and having faded into fifth behind Big Buck’s in last year’s World Hurdle. However with Big Buck’s sidelined, there appears to be a lack of strength in depth in the staying hurdle division in Britain.

Therefore I am siding with Nicky Henderson’s charge as Oscar Whisky has looked as good as ever in winning at Ascot and Cheltenham this season without coming off the bridle. Barry Geraghty is sure to take his time to conserve his energy for the finish, but whilst the selection could potentially come up short against the best of the Irish over 3m, he could simply be too good for the rest today.