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dont know,but a guess would be Ascot next week if hes ready.
2 and half m nice start imo,before stepping up in trip to 3m culminating in success in the WHurdle
2 and half m nice start imo,before stepping up in trip to 3m culminating in success in the WHurdle
Just as i guessed Howdi,OW pencilled in for Ascot next week.Suits the stable well cos his training companion runs the same day at Haydock.Means as they are both being trained for races of similar distance and running the same day they can work them together,and hopefully that will continue for the season leading to the festival.
me too mate,although we aint going to learn much till he steps up in distance.
Would they even step back in distance if HF is out for the season?
^^^^^ 
that would scupper 6 months of buddeliea's thinking !
that would scupper 6 months of buddeliea's thinking !
on a serious note oscar would be 5-1 fav if last years top 2 werent there. would peddlers come back too he'd be 5-2 fav 
Anyone know when this statement is due?
We're all speculating (hoping, really?) about a minor setback at the moment. The thing that worries me is that if it's only minor why not say something this morning when he was taken out of the betting for the Morgiana? Why the need for a statement?
We're all speculating (hoping, really?) about a minor setback at the moment. The thing that worries me is that if it's only minor why not say something this morning when he was taken out of the betting for the Morgiana? Why the need for a statement?
Reading Mr Hendersons latest comments i have decided to take a bit of the current odds for the CHurdle.
Still think they will go WH with him,but he has put a doubt in my mind.
If they do go CH,then 34 is massive.
Still think they will go WH with him,but he has put a doubt in my mind.
If they do go CH,then 34 is massive.
Pleased with that,thought he was staying on nicely.
Shame how it ended,but as long as hes alright i am well happy with that for his 1st run of the season
Shame how it ended,but as long as hes alright i am well happy with that for his 1st run of the season
Henderson says that OW will go for the Welsh CH again.That is just after the Cleeve at Cheltenham which is the race i wanted him to run in.Well he aint running in that now,so what race is he going in next??
I imagine he will have 2 more runs before March,one we know,the other one if hes thinking about the WH has to be a staying race surely.
That would mean 2m3,then further,then back in distance for the welsh CH,before stepping back up for the WH.
To me that aint excatly the ideal prep for trying to beat Big Bucks.
I'm getting more and more worried that they will go CHurdle with him.
I imagine he will have 2 more runs before March,one we know,the other one if hes thinking about the WH has to be a staying race surely.
That would mean 2m3,then further,then back in distance for the welsh CH,before stepping back up for the WH.
To me that aint excatly the ideal prep for trying to beat Big Bucks.
I'm getting more and more worried that they will go CHurdle with him.
Just had a look and the obvious next race is Newbury end of Dec,Long Walk Hurdle.
Thats if they go WH,although quiet how that would work taking in the Welsh CH is anyones guess!!
Thats if they go WH,although quiet how that would work taking in the Welsh CH is anyones guess!!
Same program as last year
Jan 1st Chelt 2m5f Cond Hurdle
Feb 4th Ffos Las 2m Welsh Champion Hurdle
I think World Hurdle will be his first crack at 3miles
Jan 1st Chelt 2m5f Cond Hurdle
Feb 4th Ffos Las 2m Welsh Champion Hurdle
I think World Hurdle will be his first crack at 3miles
Bit risky that imo.
At least if they try 3m before it will give them the option of reverting to 2m if he dont stay well enough.After all his race before March is 2m.
Big difference between staying 3m and staying 3m well enough to beat Big Bucks,and imo they need to have a real good idea before March,especially with the CH option available.
At least if they try 3m before it will give them the option of reverting to 2m if he dont stay well enough.After all his race before March is 2m.
Big difference between staying 3m and staying 3m well enough to beat Big Bucks,and imo they need to have a real good idea before March,especially with the CH option available.
well they did seem confident he would stay when i visited the yard at Easter,and yes they probably do have an idea,but surely they cannot know for sure till they actually try it on a racecourse against proven stayers.
Of course they can Budd. It just depends on whether or not they want to let on.
For people like me and you we can guess but I suspec they know if this horse will get 3 miles. imo.
For people like me and you we can guess but I suspec they know if this horse will get 3 miles. imo.
Thing is Sint,how often do we hear- well we wont know till we try it.I aint sure they can find out for definite at home.
I think so Bud, but on a good bet, I can understand your apprehension. I think his campaign will be fine (NY Day, Fos Las, Big Bucks).
yeh,trainer knows best mate.
I have saved in case they go CH with him,so it wont all be doom and gloom should he not run in WH,but that race is by far my biggest winner.
I have saved in case they go CH with him,so it wont all be doom and gloom should he not run in WH,but that race is by far my biggest winner.
For what its worth Paul Kealy ( one of the few tipsters whose opinion i respect) says in the Weekender he has had his first Chelt antepost bet on OW for the Champion Hurdle 33s.
Personally im amazed that the plan seems to be to tackle 3m for the first time at the Festival.
I expected them to either have a crack at BB in the Long Walk or go for the Cleeve
Personally im amazed that the plan seems to be to tackle 3m for the first time at the Festival.
I expected them to either have a crack at BB in the Long Walk or go for the Cleeve
I really fancy Thousand Stars for the World Hurdle but not certain he'll go for it, depending on the extent of Hurricane fly's injury. I don't really want to save on the CH because I wouldn't fancy him for it should he go that route. Corals still have him at 10's and debating whther to pull the trigger. I think he's almost certain to place if he runs.
Stormey,
I never thought he would take on BB before March,but i was hoping to see him over 3m before then.
Guess we have to wait and see,but i cannot help feeling that his campaign is more geared up for the CH rather than the WH.
GCW,
I agree,think TS has a real good chance in the WH,class proven at 2,2m4,like OW,but also he has won over that sort of distance.
Maybe a lot hinges on the wellbeing of Hurricane Fly as to where these horses run,would make sense.
I never thought he would take on BB before March,but i was hoping to see him over 3m before then.
Guess we have to wait and see,but i cannot help feeling that his campaign is more geared up for the CH rather than the WH.
GCW,
I agree,think TS has a real good chance in the WH,class proven at 2,2m4,like OW,but also he has won over that sort of distance.
Maybe a lot hinges on the wellbeing of Hurricane Fly as to where these horses run,would make sense.
Henderson admits he is torn over what spring target to hand his star but a clash with Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle remains a mouthwatering possibility.
"We're still just hesitating over his prime distance. It probably is around the two-and-a-half mile mark. We did have a thought of going up to three miles to have a look at Big Buck's or go back to two miles. He'll certainly do that after this for the Welsh Champion Hurdle for the obvious reason that Dai Walters, who owns the horse, also owns the racecourse Ffos Las," he said.
"He's got to stay, if he stays three miles I genuinely think he'll be a threat (to Big Buck's) because he'd be a three miler with a right turn of foot. Whether he'll stay or not is a completely different matter and there's a lot of horses who've been trying to beat Big Buck's for the last few years and they've all failed.
"They've either not been good enough or not stayed. At least one good thing about this horse is if he did stay three miles he'd have a serious chance of beating him because he has a gear. Whether he has that gear at the end of three miles, we don't know yet though."
"We're still just hesitating over his prime distance. It probably is around the two-and-a-half mile mark. We did have a thought of going up to three miles to have a look at Big Buck's or go back to two miles. He'll certainly do that after this for the Welsh Champion Hurdle for the obvious reason that Dai Walters, who owns the horse, also owns the racecourse Ffos Las," he said.
"He's got to stay, if he stays three miles I genuinely think he'll be a threat (to Big Buck's) because he'd be a three miler with a right turn of foot. Whether he'll stay or not is a completely different matter and there's a lot of horses who've been trying to beat Big Buck's for the last few years and they've all failed.
"They've either not been good enough or not stayed. At least one good thing about this horse is if he did stay three miles he'd have a serious chance of beating him because he has a gear. Whether he has that gear at the end of three miles, we don't know yet though."
2 And half this weekend,so wont learn anymore re distance.
More and more thinking that this all hinges on Hurricane Fly,if Fit OW goes WH,if not OW goes CH.
After all if OW dont tackle 3m before the festival,Mr Henderson aint gonna know if he stays or not,as he dont seem to know now!!
Or does he??
More and more thinking that this all hinges on Hurricane Fly,if Fit OW goes WH,if not OW goes CH.
After all if OW dont tackle 3m before the festival,Mr Henderson aint gonna know if he stays or not,as he dont seem to know now!!
Or does he??
Nice win today,and certainly not stopping at the end.
BG says WH is the plan.
Great stuff.
BG says WH is the plan.
Great stuff.
Another nice step on the road to the World Hurdle.
8/1 with Billies looks terrific value to me
8/1 with Billies looks terrific value to me
Another nice win,cruised home in a hack canter.
Would Like to hear what connections say about Cheltenham after that.
Would Like to hear what connections say about Cheltenham after that.
Another nice win,cruised home in a hack canter.
Would Like to hear what connections say about Cheltenham after that.
Would Like to hear what connections say about Cheltenham after that.
World Hurdle defo the plan Henderson says.
Personally cannot see him beating Big Bucks but the 11-4 in the betting without him market is a very fair price
Personally cannot see him beating Big Bucks but the 11-4 in the betting without him market is a very fair price
OSCAR WHISKY really pleased me and it was a pleasure to ride him to win the Cheltenham and Three Counties hurdle for the second time.
The doctor’s orders before were not to give him a hard race, so he didn’t get one!
It was perfect.
He is a very versatile hurdler because he’d win an ordinary Champion Hurdle. He is top class at two and a half as he showed when winning at Aintree and has the potential to stay three miles, which will bring in the World Hurdle.
He would have a realistic chance of the three-mile crown in March but anyone would have to have the greatest respect for Big Buck’s but you can’t be afraid to take him on.
I’d hope that their relative prices wouldn’t truly reflect their real chance – but I’m biased. I’d like to think we would give the champ a rattle.
The doctor’s orders before were not to give him a hard race, so he didn’t get one!
It was perfect.
He is a very versatile hurdler because he’d win an ordinary Champion Hurdle. He is top class at two and a half as he showed when winning at Aintree and has the potential to stay three miles, which will bring in the World Hurdle.
He would have a realistic chance of the three-mile crown in March but anyone would have to have the greatest respect for Big Buck’s but you can’t be afraid to take him on.
I’d hope that their relative prices wouldn’t truly reflect their real chance – but I’m biased. I’d like to think we would give the champ a rattle.
Don't quite understand OW preparations to be honest. He's about to take on possibly the best staying hurdler we have seen, yet they are not going to see if he stays the 3mile trip.
If he doesn't stay, then it will have been a waste of time for a horse who can mix it with the best over shorter distances.
If he doesn't stay, then it will have been a waste of time for a horse who can mix it with the best over shorter distances.
yeh,i agree, its a bit weird to me as well.
I really wanted to see him try 3m as a backer of his for the WH,but i guess we just have to trust the trainer.
I can only think they are very confident he gets it,the one thing they wont know is whether he gets it well enough to beat BB.
Makes the race more exciting though,with a bit of intrigue.
I really wanted to see him try 3m as a backer of his for the WH,but i guess we just have to trust the trainer.
I can only think they are very confident he gets it,the one thing they wont know is whether he gets it well enough to beat BB.
Makes the race more exciting though,with a bit of intrigue.
Hes a grade 1 horse and does better over 2.5 than 2, so the world hurdle is worth a try and if he stays the distance then hes in with a great chance. This is the race im most excited about.
Gwan Oscar!
Gwan Oscar!
The horse seems to be campaigned very much to suit the owner. That's fair enough - he pays the bills after all - but it probably doesn't give the horse its best chgance of success at the Festival.
Aye, some match practice at the trip would have been beneficial, as would being in a scrap, his races this season have been so soft. It puts me off backing him to be honest.
The trainer is also well known for wanting to keep the miles off his charges, so that they arrive in March fresh. He has won 2 stayers crowns, so I would not be concerned. I think he'll run a big race and is probably the e/w bet of the meeting.
Yep,but then maybe theres something in going into a tough race fresh and without too much scrapping.
I dont know really whats best to be honest,i hope Mr Henderson does,he should do.
Lets face it,If he stays 3m,he stays 3m,the fact that we have yet to see that,makes no difference to the horse.
The owner has said he wants to have a crack at Big Bucks,surely they have discussed whaether Fos Las would hinder that.He did win the race last year and then ran well at Chelt and Aintree.
I dont know really whats best to be honest,i hope Mr Henderson does,he should do.
Lets face it,If he stays 3m,he stays 3m,the fact that we have yet to see that,makes no difference to the horse.
The owner has said he wants to have a crack at Big Bucks,surely they have discussed whaether Fos Las would hinder that.He did win the race last year and then ran well at Chelt and Aintree.
He'll be trained to the minute that's for sure. I hope he can give BB a race.
GI mac- "he'll be trained to the minute"
well lets hope the race goes of bang on time then other wise your scrwed! what a statement, is big bucks going to be "trained to the minute" ? if not them im wiv u on oscar whisky"!!!! tons of laughs on here
well lets hope the race goes of bang on time then other wise your scrwed! what a statement, is big bucks going to be "trained to the minute" ? if not them im wiv u on oscar whisky"!!!! tons of laughs on here
He's going to run at Ffos Las on Feb 4th in the Welsh "Champion" Hurdle because his owner also owns the track. I'd say that's a slight disadvantage re Cheltenham and perhaps not training to the minute.
Not sure I understand why thats funny denman "trained to the minute" is just a racing analogy to say he'll be trained to be spot on for the race, which Oscar Whiskey will be as will BB.
ahhh rite, well cud u do me a favour and tell me which horses are going to be" trained to the minute" and which are not going to be trained to the minute for each race at festival! id love to no!
whats that Stront 5-6 weeks? dont think thats a problem,especially if its as straightforward as last years race.Should get to the festival trained to the minute,eh Mac.
hopefully budd, and his biggest hope is that the rest arnt "trained to the minute"??
Yes he's likley to have an easy race thiough it's decent proze money and I think a lot were put off last year by very soft ground. I can't see inside Henderson's head so I don't know if he thinks it's ideal prep for the horse. He won't be as fresh as Big Buck's for example, but who knows if that will matter?
What is clear is that OW couldn't beat Hurricane Fly last season and now he's being asked to beat a horse who is arguably better after the same sort of prep.
What is clear is that OW couldn't beat Hurricane Fly last season and now he's being asked to beat a horse who is arguably better after the same sort of prep.
Arguably better means he may not be,but then maybe OW will be better at 3m than he is at 2,but then again........
Great aint it!!
Great aint it!!
Yep, it is. I think he's better but it can't be proved. March will give us a clue
Roll on the 5 day festival when there is a grade 1, 2.5 mile hurdle!!! It has Oscar Whiskeys name on it.
I agree with GI Mac - the trainer's record at the festival suggests he is second to none at training a horse for a festival race to the minute. Nothing wrong in making that asusmption for me. And regarding his freshness for the race compared to Big Bucks, Nicholls has hinted that Big Bucks will run in the Cleve which is a change from the last 2 yrs, so maybe he is also in the process of messing things up, just like Henderson
I think it would be nice to know whether Oscar stayed before the race, but shoudl he take Big Bucks on in the Cleeve? Have a hard race and leave the Stayers behind? I am sur ethe trainer might have liked to test the water in advance, but I do not see the horse being damaged in any way by Fos Las as opposed to a run somewhere else (all things being equal). If anything, it may help him retain freshness. Fos Las did no damage last yr ahead of the Champion and the yr before he ran even later at Sandown before running in the supreme. Will running over 2 ligt him up in the Stayers? I suspect not, he is a horse that settles well.
For me he is teh e/w bet of the festival and if they crawl like they did last yr, I think he will give BB something to think about (though BB is the best horse in training IMO, so its hard for me to see him being beaten).
I think it would be nice to know whether Oscar stayed before the race, but shoudl he take Big Bucks on in the Cleeve? Have a hard race and leave the Stayers behind? I am sur ethe trainer might have liked to test the water in advance, but I do not see the horse being damaged in any way by Fos Las as opposed to a run somewhere else (all things being equal). If anything, it may help him retain freshness. Fos Las did no damage last yr ahead of the Champion and the yr before he ran even later at Sandown before running in the supreme. Will running over 2 ligt him up in the Stayers? I suspect not, he is a horse that settles well.
For me he is teh e/w bet of the festival and if they crawl like they did last yr, I think he will give BB something to think about (though BB is the best horse in training IMO, so its hard for me to see him being beaten).
Now what for Oscar?
Any ideas??
National Spirit over 2 and half at Fontwell would be ideal,but is it too close to festival??
Wincanton maybe??
Binocular probably needs a run too,remember what happened 3 years ago.
Any ideas??
National Spirit over 2 and half at Fontwell would be ideal,but is it too close to festival??
Wincanton maybe??
Binocular probably needs a run too,remember what happened 3 years ago.
If they manage to reschedule the race for 19th Feb then OW will run it, the owner will insist.
"I've spoken to Nicky about where we could run Oscar Whisky. There is the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (February 26), but that is probably too close to Cheltenham.
"I think there's every chance he'll go straight to Cheltenham now and run in the three-mile race."
Oscar Whisky also has a Champion Hurdle entry, a race in which he finished third last year, but he looks set to tackle three-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck's on his first attempt at three miles.
While full of respect for the hot favourite, Walters hopes Oscar Whisky might give him more to think about than anything he has faced so far this season.
"Big Buck's is a great horse, but he hasn't had that many really good horses run against him," Walters added.
"It would be nice to win, but we know it's a difficult task and as we know with horses, anything can happen in the next few weeks. I think Oscar Whisky will stay three miles and I'm looking forward to it."
guess that answers my question.
"I think there's every chance he'll go straight to Cheltenham now and run in the three-mile race."
Oscar Whisky also has a Champion Hurdle entry, a race in which he finished third last year, but he looks set to tackle three-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck's on his first attempt at three miles.
While full of respect for the hot favourite, Walters hopes Oscar Whisky might give him more to think about than anything he has faced so far this season.
"Big Buck's is a great horse, but he hasn't had that many really good horses run against him," Walters added.
"It would be nice to win, but we know it's a difficult task and as we know with horses, anything can happen in the next few weeks. I think Oscar Whisky will stay three miles and I'm looking forward to it."
guess that answers my question.
Nicky Henderson says Oscar Whisky is "99.9% certain" to run in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Third in last year's Stan James Champion Hurdle, Dai Walters' charge is set to step up to three miles for a clash with Big Buck's despite also being entered in the two-mile contest again.
Plans for him have changed after the Welsh Champion Hurdle was lost to the cold-snap and he could take in an unconventional prep-race.
"He's in very good form and is in one of the jumper bumpers at Kempton on Friday and I haven't ruled that one out yet," the trainer told At The Races.
"Trouble is I'm running out of options for him but he isn't a horse I'm desperate to have a run. He's 99.9% certain to go to the World Hurdle."
Third in last year's Stan James Champion Hurdle, Dai Walters' charge is set to step up to three miles for a clash with Big Buck's despite also being entered in the two-mile contest again.
Plans for him have changed after the Welsh Champion Hurdle was lost to the cold-snap and he could take in an unconventional prep-race.
"He's in very good form and is in one of the jumper bumpers at Kempton on Friday and I haven't ruled that one out yet," the trainer told At The Races.
"Trouble is I'm running out of options for him but he isn't a horse I'm desperate to have a run. He's 99.9% certain to go to the World Hurdle."
Declared for the Jumpers Bumper at Kempton tomorrow.
Good,nice to see him run again and hopefully will help to have him spot on for March.
Geraghty was grinning like a Cheshire cat as he rode him in to the winners enclosure today.
Have to stay he certainly isn't a looker. Very unimpressive in the paddock imo, really didn't take the eye.
I can't see him beating big bucks, the only way it's possible is if they crawl for 2 miles. But thats why Halo will probably be running. Oscar Whiskey at 4/1 or 5/1 is terrible value.
Has to prove he gets the trip for one thing, I'd happily be with Dynaste in a match bet
I can't see him beating big bucks, the only way it's possible is if they crawl for 2 miles. But thats why Halo will probably be running. Oscar Whiskey at 4/1 or 5/1 is terrible value.
Has to prove he gets the trip for one thing, I'd happily be with Dynaste in a match bet
I completely agree VR (apart from the Dynaste bit!)
Learnt absolutely zilch today.
Learnt absolutely zilch today.
We were never going to learn anything today though and the same can be said for all the other NH horses who ran on the AW. They are completley irrelevant to what happens in March.
OW has plenty of class and is written off at peril, imo. We've not seen the best of him by any means. Placed in a Champion Hurdle and was conceding 8lb to Overrturn earlier this season. He may or may not have Won that race, but he didn't need to to tell us he is quality. Even a second place finish conceding the 8lb would have been a fine peformance. I dont see how this horse is terrible value at all. You are getting 5/1 about whether he can get an extra 4 furlongs at track he has plenty of form on.
Make no mistake, OW will give BB a big run for his money.
OW has plenty of class and is written off at peril, imo. We've not seen the best of him by any means. Placed in a Champion Hurdle and was conceding 8lb to Overrturn earlier this season. He may or may not have Won that race, but he didn't need to to tell us he is quality. Even a second place finish conceding the 8lb would have been a fine peformance. I dont see how this horse is terrible value at all. You are getting 5/1 about whether he can get an extra 4 furlongs at track he has plenty of form on.
Make no mistake, OW will give BB a big run for his money.
Did you expect to learn something then Catch me??
Pleased with that today,should do the trick re prep for Chelt.
Roll on March!! Cant wait.
Pleased with that today,should do the trick re prep for Chelt.
Roll on March!! Cant wait.
I disagree Sint. Tetlami ran against better horses over the same trip he will be running over at Chelts... so that was much more informative imo.
I think OW is a very, very good horse, but until I know he can stay 3m, especially against the greatest stayer of all time, I wouldnt touch him with a barge pole myself.
I think OW is a very, very good horse, but until I know he can stay 3m, especially against the greatest stayer of all time, I wouldnt touch him with a barge pole myself.
Not at all Budd, never expected to learn anything, other than the fact he is alive and well!
Of course mate,how could we?.
You and many others would not touch him,but if he stays,and connections think he will,you may regret that.
Exciting though,whatever happens,especially for the race.
You and many others would not touch him,but if he stays,and connections think he will,you may regret that.
Exciting though,whatever happens,especially for the race.
CCM, the runner-up to Tetlami is a slow boat. He is a 50/1 chance for the Albert Bartlett and 0/4 over hurdles. If Tetlami did not win that over a trip you say was his right distance, then there would have been something seriously amiss surely. The runner-up was the one to take from the race, Hard To Swallow,imo.
Yeah already on him for a few bob thanks to EC and his thread.
The fact Tetlami was almost Evs this morning and OW 1/16 says it was definitely a tougher race though, and no penalty kick.
The fact Tetlami was almost Evs this morning and OW 1/16 says it was definitely a tougher race though, and no penalty kick.
True Budd, but we all have to stand by our opinions. I've been wrong several times before and will be several times more!
Yup me too!
I meant about getting it wrong before. 
Not backed HTS, 40/1 top price now fwiw, only with lads.
Not backed HTS, 40/1 top price now fwiw, only with lads.
Oscar Whisky is a bet to nothing, will be the dirtiest filthiest each way (almost cert to place) bet of that whole week imo and 5/1 1/4 odds a place 123 is huge value! Especially as he will likely be much shorter come the day and his lay price on here in the place market will reflect his true odds to place in the race, compared to the others, and will be very short indeed, thus allowing one to fill their boots today, taking the small risk he don't get there, and laying off on the day of the race to full stakes in the place market, thus ensuring a nice profit if placed, money back if unplaced, and a nice win if he wins!!!
With OW in the race, like last year, i also envisage BB to be a bigger price once again than that he currently has traded at and will trade at in the coming weeks antepost! Hasn't it been the case every year this horse has run and won this race he has been offered at much bigger odds the morning of the race than antepost in the month preceding? I see this as being no different, not with OW in it!
With OW in the race, like last year, i also envisage BB to be a bigger price once again than that he currently has traded at and will trade at in the coming weeks antepost! Hasn't it been the case every year this horse has run and won this race he has been offered at much bigger odds the morning of the race than antepost in the month preceding? I see this as being no different, not with OW in it!
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