Oscars Well

Oscars Well is a seven-year-old Bay Gelding that could be one of the most under rated horses performing at the Cheltenham Festival this year. Oscars Well is currently trained by Mrs John Harrington and has an impressive set of statistics.

Oscars Well was bred from Oscar and Placid Willow, both Irish horses, and immediately seemed destined for a long career in high quality jump racing. Oscars Well has won three races and finished second in two from a total of seven.

Oscars Well's Debut

Oscars Well's debut came February 20 2010 over 16 furlongs at Fairyhouse. Oscars Well's debut provided the horse with a second place finish in a field of nine runners. Oscars Well did very well during this race after a bad start.

This race is also where Oscars Well started to develop a classic racing style of challenging from the rear of a pack. Mrs John Harrington realised early on that Oscars Well had a superb stamina and this could be used to hold the horse up.

First Win for Oscars Well

A first win for Oscars Well came late in 2010 over two miles and four furlongs at Punchestown in November. This win was an impressive victory by nine lengths and the horse never really looked troubled throughout the race.

The first win for Oscars Well was backed up by a second on December 18 2010 over 20 furlongs at Navan. On this occasion Oscars Well tucked in behind the leaders before pushing on late in the race for a clear victory by eight lengths.

Strengths of Oscars Well

There are many strengths of Oscars Well that should mean this horse has a good career at the Cheltenham Festival. Oscars Well has a particular racing style but has shown versatility with this style.

One of the biggest strengths of Oscars Well is the horse's ability to push on after being held up. The horse has done this successfully from the rear, middle and front of the pack. This will eradicate any worries arising from a dodgy start in future races.

Weaknesses of Oscars Well

There are a few weaknesses of Oscars Well to keep an eye on in the near future. The horse has only raced in lower quality Grade 1 contests. Success has come on both of these occasions but Oscars Well is yet to be tested against a really competitive field. The one time the horse has raced in a huge pack, the result was poor; 15th out of 24.

One of the worrying weaknesses of Oscars Well that Mrs John Harrington will have to work on is the jumping style. Oscars Well has a tendency to drag feet over the top of a fence which can cost vital speed and momentum.

Oscars Well's 2011 Form

Oscars Well's 2011 form is hard to judge because the horse has only raced in one contest this year. This was over 18 furlongs at Leopardstown and produced a win by five and a half lengths.