Why this intriguing jockey booking could be key to Lisnagar Oscar bouncing back

Saturday: 2.55 Cheltenham
Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) | 3m (Old) | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Class emphatically came to the fore in this staying handicap in the past two seasons. Sporting John defied top weight last season after the strong-travelling Proschema fell two out, while On The Blind Side beat Mrs Milner in 2020. Perhaps the higher-calibre runners are those to focus on again.

On The Blind Side heads the weights once more as he bids to regain his prize. However, he hardly strikes as being thrown in off a mark of 144. His peak figure over hurdles on Racing Post Ratings is 153.

Standing out like a sore thumb at the early prices instead is the second-highest in the handicap, Lisnagar Oscar, who races off a mark of 142 and should be suited by this big-field set-up.

Lisnagar Oscar recorded an RPR of 159 when causing a 50-1 upset in the 2020 Stayers' Hurdle and has produced three of his best six performances at Cheltenham by that metric.

The booking of Rob James catches the eye and looks a statement of intent by Rebecca Curtis. Perhaps Curtis drew inspiration from Christian Williams, who deployed James's services on Win My Wings when the pair landed the Scottish Grand National last season.

For a rider with such experience in the amateur ranks, James's ability to claim 7lb is a gift. Lisnagar Oscar is his first ride for Curtis.

Shearer is the final contender with high-class course-and-distance form and is third-highest-rated. Given this six-year-old represents top connections, has landed three of his last four and remains unexposed over three miles, it is easy to why he heads the betting.

Even for Paul Nicholls' own high standards, his horses are running superbly. The Ditcheat trainer is 19-41 over the past fortnight at an outstanding 46 per cent strike-rate.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Shearer seeks to score hat-trick

The exciting Shearer has risen rapidly through the ranks in two starts this season, but trainer Paul Nicholls believes he faces his toughest assignment yet as he bids to score for the second time in a row at the track and complete a hat-trick.

The Max McNeill-owned six-year-old has turned a new leaf, winning impressively at Worcester on his comeback in early October before landing a course-and-distance novice hurdle by a length and a half at the Showcase meeting.

That success saw his handicap mark hiked up 8lb and Nicholls is hoping it will not stop the son of Flemensfirth's progression.

Shearer (right): on the up after two wins this seasonCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: "He keeps on improving. He's up in the weights and it's his stiffest task yet, but he will love the good ground."

Shearer's 12 rivals include On The Blind Side, who bids to regain his crown and defy top weight under Nico de Boinville having won two years ago.

The ten-year-old has won only once since that success and has not been seen since disappointing at Lingfield's Winter Million card in January, and trainer Nicky Henderson has expressed concerns about his chances.

"It looks like he's got an impossible task, but where do you go?" he said. "He's not one for the Grade 1 races, but he's consistent, a joy to have at the yard and has to have a run somewhere."

What they say

Chris Gordon, trainer of Annual Invictus
If you go back to his last hurdles run in the 2021 Betfair Hurdle he ran a good, solid race. He just got a bit naughty over fences and spat the dummy out on his last start over them at Plumpton. If he picks up where he left off over hurdles he should run well, but it's a big if.

David Pipe, trainer of Sidi Ismael
He won nicely on his return and first start since wind surgery at Worcester and while this is a step up in grade, he deserves to take his chance. The further he goes the better.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Padleyourowncanoe
He tends to go well fresh and seems to stay really well too. I'd have to give him a little squeak of a chance.

Martin Keighley, trainer of Forecast
He's run well at Cheltenham before and the ground shouldn't be an issue. He goes there off a competitive mark and his work's been good at home. He has a solid each-way chance.

Ian Williams, trainer of Ernesto
He ran well when winning a minor event at Hereford last month but this is a step up and it could be likely that he finds this a good bit tougher.

Jackie du Plessis, trainer of Valentino
It's a bit of a leap of faith but Harry [Kimber, jockey] is keen to have a go against hotter opposition as he needs a fast pace to run at. He had a really good prep run for this behind Umbrigado.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Saturday previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: Can Pentland Hills buck the trends to win on Cheltenham chase bow?

2.20 Cheltenham: 'He has the right profile for this' - top trainers on the Paddy Power Gold Cup

3.30 Cheltenham: 'He might lack experience but he's got the ability' - will a future star emerge?

Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien's Bolshoi Ballet bids to bounce back before trip to Hong Kong

Naas: 'The Tingle Creek is the plan' - can Gentleman De Mee make a winning return?

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