Oscar misses Ascot date

Silent Oscar is set for a break after connections ruled out a tilt at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The eight-year-old put up a career-best effort when winning the ACCBank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April and trainer Harry Rogers had been considering a switch to the level for the Group One contest at the Royal meeting.

However, the County Louth handler is not certain of suitable conditions at the Berkshire venue and has elected to give Silent Oscar a rest in preparation for a winter campaign.

He said: “We’re not going to run him at Ascot. We made the decision last night and we’re just going to give him a bit of a break now.

“He will have two months off and then we will bring him back in and see where we are.

“The Champion Hurdle is a possibility but he could also go chasing. We haven’t made a decision yet.”