Oscar Whisky bids to atone for his fall at the final flight last year as he tackles the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's charge was upsides Overturn and seemed to have every chance in the two-and-a-half-mile heat when crashing out at the last hurdle, which proved the only slight disappointment in an otherwise fruitful campaign that culminated in a second Aintree Hurdle win in April.

Henderson said: "Two and a half miles is blatantly his optimum trip. He was out on his feet after Cheltenham - he was very wobbly after the race - but to beat Thousand Stars by a neck at Aintree was fantastic."

He added: "He'll go to Cheltenham at December and Cheltenham in January.

"Then we'll switch back to two miles for the Welsh Champion Hurdle, which was off last year. Then we might miss Cheltenham altogether - we might go for National Spirit at Fontwell in between - and then on to Aintree."

Get Me Out Of Here was beaten just under two lengths by Oscar Whisky at Cheltenham last term but signed off the campaign with victory in a Fairyhouse Grade Two at Easter before returning with a win at Kempton.

Jonjo O'Neill's runner steps back up in trip for this race but jockey Tony McCoy knows more improvement is needed to top Oscar Whisky.

He said: "He won at Kempton on his first run (of the season), but he has to step up to beat Oscar Whisky - he has won the Aintree Hurdle a couple of times and is a dual Grade One winner, so he's going to be very hard to beat. We'll see how it goes. The trip shouldn't be a problem to him and he's been a great horse."

Brampour finished a length and a half adrift of Get Me Out Of Here at Kempton but jockey Harry Derham believes the step up in trip, combined with a 4lb pull in the weights, will help the chances of his mount.

He said: "Life is going to be tough for him this year as he did so well last season and he has to run in these kind of races. He is stepping up in trip, which will suit him as he stays well, but the ground might just have gone against him a bit, although it may not be ideal for one or two of the others. He will certainly have a good each-way chance."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests