Oscar Time looks class act for Sam

RACING:

SAM Waley-Cohen became the first amateur jockey for 30 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup when riding Long Run to victory last month.

And I see no reason why he cannot claim Grand National glory on Oscar Time tomorrow and, in doing so, emulate a Gold Cup-National double last achieved by fellow jockey Jim Culloty in 2002.

Second in last year’s Irish National, Oscar Time has been trained for this day ever since and arrives at Aintree at concert pitch following a promising third to The Midnight Club and Arbor Supreme at Fairyhouse last time.

He meets both again tomorrow and, at the weights, Arbor Supreme should come out on top.

But jumping is the name of the game at Aintree and I am confident Oscar Time is the best of the three in that department.

Stamina should not be an issue, he is the right age at 10 and his jockey is on a roll.

The two other Irish contenders I have mentioned are big players. In fact, Ireland could well dominate this race and if your bookie will lay you an Irish 1-2-3 I would not put you off having a couple of quid on.

When you take into consideration the claims of other Emerald Isle hopefuls such as Vic Venturi, Dooneys Gate, Backstage, and Killyglen, the prospect of landing that bet is no forlorn hope.

The English challenge is thin on the ground this year. I don’t fancy What A Friend despite his obvious form claims, while reigning champion Don’t Push It has it all to do off top weight and Silver By Nature wants softer ground.

Ballabriggs is one of the better English hopes along with State Of Play, who has been placed for the last two years.

And Calgary Bay could go well at a price and Tidal Bay, though something of a head case, would very nearly win if trying his best.

But momentum is a powerful force and it is currently with Sam Waley-Cohen, who may be punching the air again in Liverpool at 4.30 tomorrow afternoon.




A-Z GUIDE TO THE RUNNERS



KEITH McHUGH’S 1-5 ratings in brackets:

ARBOR SUPREME (4): Going well when falling at the Chair last year. On a decent handicap mark.

BACKSTAGE (3): Well fancied by many shrewd judges, he was hampered when unseating last year.

BALLABRIGGS (4): A Cheltenham Festival winner who has been primed for this race. Big chance.

BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (3): Decent form in and has been laid out for this. One of many fancied Irish runners.

BIG FELLA THANKS (3): Fourth last year, he acts well on the track. Stamina ran out last year and likely to do so again.

BLUESEA CRACKER (3): Easy winner of last year’s Irish National, but needs cut in the ground. A player if it rains.

CALGARY BAY (3): Sound jumper, who likes flat tracks and decent ground. Capable, too, but trainer’s form a worry.

CAN’T BUY TIME (1): A faller in the last two Nationals and going downhill.

CHARACTER BUILDING (2): Ran well to be seventh last year, but not at his best recently.

CHIEF DAN GEORGE (3): Not the most consistent, but very useful on his day and a lively outsider.

COMPLY OR DIE (2): Winner of this three years ago, but 12 now and age is against him.

DON’T PUSH IT (4): Took to the fences like a duck to water when winning last year. Higher in the weights, but respected.

DOONEYS GATE (3): Jumped round in last year’s Topham and solid since. Each-way possibility. (3).

GOLDEN KITE (2): Bits of form in Ireland, but not an obvious high-flier.

GRAND SLAM HERO (1): Trainer has a good record in this race, but this one is unlikely to enhance it.

HELLO BUD (3): Ran a blinder to be fifth last year and won this season’s Becher Chase, so is a course specialist.

IN COMPLIANCE (3): Yet another Irish runner. Once considered Gold Cup material, so interesting off low weight.

KILLYGLEN (3): Talented sort who likes to get on with it. Could be prominent for a long way.

KING FONTAINE (2): Won two nice handicaps earlier this season, but not so good recently. Has a bit to prove.

MAJESTIC CONCORDE (3): Won a big race at Leopardstown last time, jumping well. Improving, but has big weight.

NICHE MARKET (3): Endured trouble in running last year and pulled up. Won an Irish National two years ago.

ORNAIS (1): Useful a few years ago, but on a downward curve and needs mud.

OR NOIR DE SOMOZA (2): Ex-French chaser representing shrewd connections who have given him a positive mention.

OSCAR TIME (5): Choice of many Irish pundits, he will be ridden by Gold Cup-winning amateur Sam Waley-Cohen.

PIRAYA (1): Tailed off in 13th last year and unlikely to step up on that.

QUINZ (3): Only a novice, but a good one and will run off a higher mark in future handicaps.

QUOLIBET (1): French import whose form figures hardly inspire

ROYAL ROSA (2): Consistent form over these fences without winning. Likely to outrun odds of 66-1.

SANTA’S SON (1): Christmas unlikely to come early with this one, who has huge stamina doubts.

SILVER BY NATURE (3): Twice the horse on soft ground, but may lack tactical pace if the rain stays away.

SKIPPERS BRIG (2): Mud lover equally adept over hurdles and fences. Has a squeak.

STATE OF PLAY (4): Fourth and third in the last two runnings of the race, he has been given a chance by the handicapper.

SURFACE TO AIR (1): Highly unlikely to be finishing like a missile.

THAT’S RHYTHM (1): Will need more than rhythm to make an impact.

TIDAL BAY (3): Enigmatic type who tends to get behind in his races. Classy, though, so don’t write off.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB (4): The choice of Ruby Walsh, who could have ridden many of these. Progressive and talented.

THE TOTHER ONE (3): Bits of form, such as a Hennessy Gold Cup fourth, gives him a squeak.

VIC VENTURI (2): Going quite well when brought down at the 20th a year ago. Looks a little high in the weights.

WEST END ROCKER (3): Bombed out last time, but won his previous two. Jockey fancies his chances.

WHAT A FRIEND (3): Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth, so well in with 11-6. Quirky, and will either love Aintree or hate it.