Oscar faces fitness battle

Harry Rogers faces a race against time to get Silent Oscar fit for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle on March 11.

The nine-year-old beat the best hurdlers Ireland had to offer at the Punchestown Festival last season.

Hopes were high that he would emerge as a genuine contender for Festival honours this term, but a minor setback means his participation is now in some doubt.

“The idea was to have him right for Cheltenham and he was going to run in the AIG beforehand, but because of the ground we didn’t run him,” said Rogers.

“He was fit and ready to run but he had a little bit of a setback last week.

“We were going to aim him at the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park but it is highly unlikely he will make Gowran now so we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed he makes Cheltenham.

“He just gave himself a knock up front and he missed a few days work, we’ll just have to see how this week progresses.

“There is no doubt he is entitled to be there and he is up there with the best of them.

“At the moment I would say it is 50-50 he will make Cheltenham and I will know more by the end of this week.

“The main aim is Cheltenham and back to Punchestown and then he’ll go novice chasing next season,” he told At The Races.

Silent Oscar is a 25-1 chance for Champion Hurdle glory.