Oscars Well

Oscars Well looked desperately unlucky not to win the Neptune Hurdle on Wednesday. He had been a little keen through the early part of the race, but he had taken it up, travelling easily, on the run to the last. He actually jumped the final flight well, but lost his footing on landing, and with it all chance.

Of course you never know for certain how these things would have panned out, but it is probable that Jessica Harrington’s horse would have won the Neptune but for his mis-hap. He is a horse who finds plenty for pressure, and rider Robert Power was yet to ask him for his effort. He proved that he handled good ground well here, and he should be followed wherever he goes next. The form book suggested that he was the best novice hurdler in Ireland going into the Cheltenham Festival, and there is no reason to alter that view now.

16th March 2011

© The Sunday Times, 27th March 2011