Lisnagar Oscar

Lisnagar Oscar did well to finish second in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Hurdle. Held up early on behind a sedate pace, he got a little out-paced as they quickened down the hill, but he stayed on well around the home turn and he arrived there looking like a real danger to Rockpoint at the final flight, where a mistake effectively ended any chance he had of winning. Rebecca Curtis' horse may not have caught the winner anyway, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which he kept on all the way to the line, coming away from third-placed Rocco, in a race that was won last year by subsequent Albert Bartlett Hurdle winner Kilbricken Storm, and which has been won in the past by Wholestone, Unowhatimeanharry, Blaklion and Coneygree.

This year's winner was prominent from early, the third horse led early and the fourth horse raced prominently. It was a race in which it was difficult to make ground from the rear. So Lisnagar Oscar did well to get as close as he did. Also, winner of his only point-to-point, this was just his third run under Rules and it was just his second race over hurdles. Out of a sister to Whisper, he hasn't won yet under Rules, but it is surely only a matter of time before he does. He saw out this 3m trip well, he should be winning soon and he could be good enough for the Albert Bartlett.

Cheltenham, 15^th December 2018

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