RACING:JESSICA HARRINGTON aims to have at least four runners at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival headed by the Champion Hurdle hope Oscars Well.
The Grade One winner is likely to be accompanied by the Supreme Novice Hurdle contender Steps To Freedom as well as Jetson, who is being targeted at the Pertemps final. The latter’s half brother Jezki could yet earn a place in the Champion Bumper field.
“Oscars Well shows you nothing at home and you have to be careful not to overcook him,” the Co Kildare trainer said yesterday. “His jumping has got very slick and he’s improving all year. The Champion Hurdle is obviously a very hot race and I’d be delighted if he finished in the first three.”
Steps To Freedom is unbeaten in three starts over timber and is a proven winner at Cheltenham in November. “I think he’s got stronger. We toyed with the idea of running him at Dundalk, but decided against it. He had a busy enough flat season and then won his three races. I’m very happy with him,” Harrington reported.
– BRIAN O’CONNOR
