Oscar performance should be good enough at Aintree

Tommy's Oscar can follow in the hoofprints of former stablemate Nuts Well by winning the Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase on Sunday at Aintree.

Nuts Well was a surprise 18-1 winner of the Grade Two contest three years ago, but Tommy's Oscar will be a deal shorter than that after a sterling performance on his seasonal return.

Lining up off top weight at Kelso at the start of the month, Tommy's Oscar strolled to a 6.5-length victory, turning in a fine round of jumping to win with the minimum of fuss.

That was just his sixth outing over fences having won twice last term, including at Grade Two level, and finished second three times - keeping up the same kind of consistency that saw him emerge victorious in eight of his 15 hurdles runs.

Tommy's Oscar can certainly be relied upon to put his best foot forward for Ann Hamilton and his race-fitness could give him the edge over a couple of his major rivals.

Boldmere thrived once switched to veterans' company last term and he can pick up another prize in the Jewson Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans' Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old reached a peak rating of 145 when trained by Caroline Bailey, but he looked well below that kind of level when returning from a long spell off the track on his debut for Alex Hales last December.

That spin had the desired effect though and subsequently pitched into the popular veterans' series, he registered a win at Doncaster before finishing second at Newbury and claiming another victory at Fakenham before his summer break.

Now off 137, Boldmere is still a horse to follow at this level.

Sonigino is another with the benefit of a run under his belt in the Jewson Handicap Hurdle.

After a disappointing initial season with Paul Nicholls, wind surgery appeared to work the oracle last term as he won three of his five starts and closed out with a fine third in a Grade Three handicap at the Grand National meeting.

Returned to action under a 1kg higher mark in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, Sonigino lost little in defeat, beaten 3.5-lengths by the winner, Pyramid Place, but just caught for second on the line by Blow Your Wad.

Sonigino could be expected to strip fitter for that outing, with the likely sound conditions at Aintree another factor in his favour.

Nicholls can also enjoy a good afternoon as his local Wincanton track with Switch Hitter and Liari holding fine claims.

Switch Hitter lines up in the Norman Court Stud Handicap Chase after winning over slightly shorter at the track when last seen in February.

He looked as though he would stay further so the slight rise in distance is not a concern while the presence of Bryony Frost in the saddle is a definite plus given she has steered him to each of his four wins under rules.

Liari makes his British bow in the White Horse Rogate Juvenile Hurdle.

Previously trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Liari was a 2000m winner at Toulouse for his previous handler back in March and can go well as long as the ground remains on the better side. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: Race 1: 14.50 Sound And Fury, Race 2: 15.25 Boldmere, Race 3: 16.00 TOMMY'S OSCAR, Race 4: 16.35 Jagwar, Race 5: 17.10 Sonigino, Race 6: 17.45 Chapel Green, Race 7: 18.20 Just A Memory.

GALWAY: Race 1: 14.41 Miss Agusta, Race 2: 15.16 Affordale Fury, Race 3: 15.51 Old Soul, Race 4: 16.26 My Friend The Wind, Race 5: 17.01 Mint Boy, Race 6: 17.36 Reversal, Race 7: 18.10 El Champo, Race 8: 18.40 Glens Lullaby.

WEXFORD: Race 1: 15.01 Potters Party, Race 2: 15.35 Dont Go Yet, Race 3: 16.10 Pirate Island, Race 4: 16.45 Jasmin De Cotte, Race 5: 17.20 Pastorale, Race 6: 17.55 Chapel Street, Race 7: 18.28 Pallas Athene.

WINCANTON: Race 1: 15.10 Getaway Tom, Race 2: 15.44 Concrete King, Race 3: 16.19 Liari, Race 4: 16.54 Perfect Nelson, Race 5: 17.29 Switch Hitter, Race 6: 18.04 Bashers Reflection, Race 7: 18.34 Flash Gorcombe.