Oscar Whisky in different league to rivals

Report: Kempton, Friday

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OSCAR WHISKY got ready for a clash with Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month with a straightforward beating of his rivals on Kempton's Polytrack.

Largely considered to be the main danger to Big Buck's in his attempt at a record-breaking fourth win in the World Hurdle, Oscar Whisky had no problem dismissing this lesser field as he came home three lengths clear under Barry Geraghty, having been sent off at odds of 1-16.

Oscar Whisky was completing a short-priced double on the card for Geraghty and trainer Nicky Henderson, who had seen their William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle hope Tetlami oblige earlier.

The seven-year-old was always tanking along in third under Geraghty and after disputing the lead two furlongs out, he took it up comfortablyover a furlong from home to land an easy success. Sir Harry Ormesher finished second at 10-1.

Oscar Whisky had been diverted to this additional jumpers' bumper card after his scheduled defence of the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las last week fell the way of the weather.

Although he will now head to the World Hurdle off the back of three wins, his odds for that race remain unchanged. Ladbrokes and Stan James make him 4-1 for the Cheltenham contest, although he can be backed at 5-1 elsewhere.

After watching Oscar Whisky come through his final run before the festival smoothly, Henderson said: "That was exactly what I wanted to do - avoid a hard race - and that gives me a chance to back off for a week before preparing for Cheltenham."

Having won his last 15 starts, Big Buck's is widely perceived tobe the banker of this year's Cheltenham Festival and is no bigger than 4-7 to win.