'He's back to his best' - Stayers' Hurdle next for rejuvenated Lisnagar Oscar

Rebecca Curtis is optimistic Lisnagar Oscar can pull off another upset in the Stayers' Hurdle, after the nine-year-old produced a repeat in Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle of the prep run that led to his Cheltenham Festival triumph two years ago.

Lisnagar Oscar was nine and a quarter lengths behind Paisley Park in third at the weekend but Curtis believes having to lead did not suit her horse – who is rated a 50-1 chance for the Paddy Power-sponsored championship event next month.

He caused a festival shock at those same odds just two years ago, and on that occasion also arrived at Cheltenham off the back of a third-place finish behind Paisley Park on Trials day.

Stayers' Hurdle entries and betting

Curtis is hopeful history can repeat itself and said: "We were delighted with his run, he seems to be back to his best. We knew there was going to be no pace in the race so we bounced him out, which isn't ideal, but hopefully in March the race should suit him better with Flooring Porter in there.

"He's a funny horse, every season he never runs much of a race before Christmas. He loves Cheltenham and it's a track which really suits him. If he can come right in March every year then I don't really mind.

Team Lisnagar Oscar: Adam Wedge and Rebecca CurtisCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He did no better in the Cleeve when he won the Stayers' and that race was probably worse two years ago. I'll go there quite optimistic anyway."

Last season, Lisnagar Oscar, was sent off a 11-1 chance in the Stayers' Hurdle and travelled well from a prominent position before falling at the seventh flight.

"It was gutting last year," Curtis recalls. "He went there in good form and then had that horrible fall. Whether it's taken a while to get over that I'm not sure. We're happy with him so he'll have a little break now and then it's straight to Cheltenham."

Stablemate Pats Fancy, who was a non-runner at Exeter on Wednesday, is also set to head to the festival with the National Hunt Chase his main target. A comprehensive winner over Imperial Alcazar last time, the seven-year-old is no bigger than 20-1.

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