Although now a 14-year-old, Oscar
Time proved he was no back number with game win in the Becher
Chase, over 3 miles 2 furlongs, on the Grand National course at
Aintree in December and, although 6lb higher in the weights, must
have every chance of winning the Betbright Cheltenham Festival Fund
Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3.25) at Doncaster on Wednesday.
Robert Waley-Cohen’s charge remains
3lb lower in the weights than fourth in the 2013 Grand National and,
having won all three of his completed starts since, is a confident
selection to beat his fellow senior citizens. The weight rise is
offset by the drop back into 0-150 company and, although he’s been
off the course for 74 days, he’s won after much longer absences in
the past and presumably doesn’t take much getting ready.
Three miles on the prevailing good to
soft going should suit him admirably and, with regular partner Sam
Waley-Cohen taking off a useful 3lb, he’s frankly hard to oppose.
Robbie, Reaping The Reward and Aachen have their stamina to prove,
Burton Port and Shoegazer appear woefully out of form and last year’s
Grand National fourth, Alvarado, has an absence of 319 days to
overcome.
Ikorodu Road, on the other hand, is 1lb
lower in the weights than when third, beaten just 2 lengths, in this
grade over course and distance in December and looks the principal
danger if none the worse for his fall at Catterick last month. Graham
McPherson’s 12-year-old has been lightly raced in recent seasons,
but one win from his last thirteen starts hardly inspires confidence.
On balance, Oscar Time looks the one to
be at 9/2 with Betfair Sportsbook.
Selection: Doncaster 3.25 Oscar
Time to win (9/2 with Betfair Sportsbook)
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