Oscar to upstage Big Buck’s

RACING - CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL:

WINNER of his last 15 races, seven of them at the highest level, Big Buck’s is clearly a horse of a lifetime.

Throw in the fact that three of those 15 wins have come in the prestigious Ladbrokes World Hurdle and you can see the huge task facing his rivals in tomorrow’s renewal of the Grade One event.

So you may think I have lost my marbles when I say I reckon Big Buck’s is vulnerable on this occasion.

And the reason for that is a horse called Oscar Whisky, who was third in last year’s Champion Hurdle and promises to be every bit as good, if not better, over the three miles of the contest.

For all his brilliance, Big Buck’s can be quirky. He does tend to hit flat spots during his races and can idle.

So if Barry Geraghty on the high-class Oscar Whisky – a horse possessing a potent turn of foot – can time his challenge just right, then I reckon he can do it.

The key is to leave it as late as possible so that Big Buck’s does not get the chance to react and turn on the turbo again.

No doubt Ruby Walsh will be alive to Geraghty’s plan, but repelling it is another matter and I am convinced this is easily the best horse Big Buck’s has ever met over hurdles.

At their respective prices - around 4-7 and 5-1 – there is no doubt where the better value lies and you could even back Oscar Whisky each-way knowing that if he were to finish second or third you would be getting your stake back.

The day’s other Grade One race is the Ryanair Chase which could also go to Geraghty and his boss Nicky Henderson thanks to Riverside Theatre.

This horse got going all too late when fifth in the 2010 Arkle Chase won by Sizing Europe, but the extra five furlongs of tomorrow’s race should prove ideal and he looked as good as ever when winning at Ascot on his reappearance.

Noble Prince, a winner at this meeting last year, is a danger along with a rejuvenated Somserby, but Rubi Light requires softer ground and defending champion Albertas Run is returning from quite a bad leg injury.

For the nap, I nominate Our Father in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

This is a high-class horse running in a handicap and may well outclass his rivals.