Whisky win lifts spirits

Henderson ace eases to win

Last updated: 5th February 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Barry Geraghty Oscar Whisky

Oscar Whisky eased to victory in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.

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Oscar Whisky gave Nicky Henderson a swift big-race double when landing the William Hill Welsh Champion Hurdle in effortless fashion at Ffos Las.

Oscar Whisky, who carries the colours of Ffos Las owner Dai Walters, was a much easier winner than stablemate Binocular was at Sandown less than an hour earlier.

The 2-7 shot cruised into the lead under Barry Geraghty after the third-last flight and soon saw off his four rivals.

Black Jack Blues, who had set out to make all the running, stuck on gamely for second place, eight lengths in arrears, after Tarkari made a hash of the last.

Geraghty said: "He was very good and he should improve a good bit too. He settled and jumped - it was a good solid performance and you'd have to like that."

Walters will consult with Henderson on whether his pride and joy goes for the Champion Hurdle or the World Hurdle at Cheltenham next month - but admitted a preference for the two-mile contest.

He said: "That went to plan, Mr Henderson has done a good job for me. He's a class act and Barry was very pleased with him.

"It's up to Nicky where he goes, we'll have a chat in the morning.

"I'd like to go for the Champion, we can go for the three-miler (World Hurdle) next year. It takes a long time to get a good horse and we'll treat him well."

Henderson also gave every indication Oscar Whisky would head for the Champion Hurdle, for which he was cut to 11-1 from 14-1 by totesport.

The Seven Barrows handler said: "I'm thrilled for Dai - this has been the plan since the end of last season. He has built an amazing place here, it's a great racecourse so to win this for him was very special.

"I don't think it has told us that much for future plans and they didn't go much of a gallop.

"When he won at Cheltenham over two and half miles he looked like he got the trip very well, but in fairness you have got to get trip there over two miles in March too.

"I think we'll stick to the Champion Hurdle route, but we'll talk to Barry. I wouldn't have thought he would go three miles.

"There's some improvement there, Barry said he gave a blow. He'll come on a good bit and I think that (Champion Hurdle) is what we will do."

Sky Bet cut Oscar Whisky to 10-1 from 12-1 for the Champion Hurdle.

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