Oscar Contender pictured on his way to victory at Cork last April© Photo Healy Racing
Harry Kelly has the Tetratema Cup in mind for Oscar Contender, after he lowered the colours of Arctic Skipper in the Rathbarry & Glenview Stud Open Lightweight at Tallow point-to-point on Sunday.
Sent straight to the front by James Hannon, the son of Oscar made all, and held off the late effort of Arctic Skipper by three parts of a length.
The runner-up, who took the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan in 2016, was sent off an odds-on chance under Johnny Barry, having won his last two at Boulta.
Oscar Contender on the other hand was recording his fourth success from his previous five starts, with his wins last season coming at Punchestown, Dromahane and Cork.
"That was great. We fancied him but you'd always be worried, it's a big set up to Open opposition," revealed Kelly.
"Arctic Skipper was the form horse, but James gave our lad a great ride, he used his stamina, that's what he has.
"We were waiting for soft ground for him and we got a bit of it today. The Tetratema Cup at Gowran is the plan for him and hopefully he will be alright now.
"It's nice for his owner Mary Walsh as her brother passed away just last Sunday and her husband died last year."