With OSCAR WHISKY scheduled to take in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham this hardly can be deemed a Champion Hurdle trial but Nicky Henderson's very talented performer is the best of these by a very long way and should be untroubled to follow up last year's success in this contest. Starluck looks next best but hasn't been seen since finishing fourth behind Finian's Rainbow over fences at Aintree last spring. Ashkazar hasn't beaten a horse home in three outings since scoring on New Year's Day 2011 and Highway Code looks a safer option for the minor placing.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led going well approaching last, not extended, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan beating Poungach (11-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Led, mistake 5th, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened flat, 11th of 14, 12l behind Module (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Ashkazar (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, dropped rear 5th, soon tailed off, last of 7, well behind Deireadh Re (9-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Highway Code (USA) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, mistake and lost place next, tailed off approaching 4 out, last of 8, well behind Cotillion (10-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Mad Moose (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway into mid-division on outside 9th, chased leader after 3 out to next, 7th and no impression when hit last, 8th of 16, 22l behind Quantitativeeasing (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Dec.
Ski Sunday 7-1 (11-0) Disputed lead from 4th, outpaced when lost 2nd after 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd and held when hit last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Carrickboy (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs in Jan.
Starluck (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Slightly hampered 1st, chased leaders, hit 5th, not fluent next, no impression 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, 4th of 7, 42l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
