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Saturday 14th April - Race 3 - John Smith's Dick Francis Aintree Hurdle


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Re: Saturday 14th April - Race 3 - John Smith's Dick Francis Aintree Hurdle 2.50 Aintree - 4pts win Oscar Whisky @ 9/4 (Hills) On paper this is an intriguing affair with a few contenders but I'm actually pretty confident that Nicky Henderson's classy 7yo will take all the beating barring disaster. Naturally it would be foolish to discount Rock On Ruby after a tremendous champion hurdle success but it's possible he's better over that trip and he flopped here last year having run well at Cheltenham so that's a concern. It's possible he's best fresh. Similarly, Zarkandar really impressed me when winning the Betfair hurdle with things not going to plan. However, he disappointed a bit in the champion and although he shaped like wanting further he has to prove himself. I just think Oscar Whisky has nothing to prove and definitely has the quality to win this for the second year running. He didn't have the toughest of races this year at the Cheltenham Festival in the World Hurdle and proved he could run well at both festivals last season. He's a prolific winner with his only defeats over hurdles when staying on his feet coming in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, the Champion Hurdle, and the World Hurdle. I think he's better on a flatter track and he certainly won't be short of speed around this tighter track (won a 'jumpers bumper' prior to Cheltenham). He didn't get home over 3m in the World Hurdle and this is his ideal trip. He's 4 out of 5 over this distance with the defeat coming when falling at the last (disputing) and has been supremely impressive in wins this season where he's barely had to come off the bridle. Although he didn't win by a huge distance in December, the form has worked out well with Get Me Out Of Here proving to be a high 150 horse since, where my selection gave him 8lbs. He looks certain to run a screamer and was probably worth more than his neck victory in this last year when sent on a bit early. I imagine Barry Geraghty will arrive travelling well a bit later this year and he looks to have a favourite's chance to me.

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