Oscar a Cleeve possible The Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham is under consideration for Oscar Dan Dan following his fine effort in defeat at Leopardstown over Christmas. The eight-year-old has enjoyed a productive season so far, winning a conditions hurdle at Thurles, the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse and chasing home Powerstation in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle on December 28. Trainer Tom Mullins said: "We were very happy with him and he ran another great race. He got a bit tapped for toe at one stage but he stayed on well from the last flight and saw out the three miles well." Mullins continued: "There is a three-mile conditions hurdle at Gowran Park we'll have a look at later this month but if it was going to be bad ground, we might have a look at the Cleeve Hurdle as well." "I see Big Buck's isn't going there and I think we're up there with the rest of them, so if they got a bit of nice ground we might just end up travelling for that. The World Hurdle is the plan for him at the moment as I think on ratings, behind Big Buck's, there is not a lot to choose between a good few of us." Mullins however is at a loss to explain Some Present's hugely disappointing display in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle over the Christmas period. Last season's Champion Bumper runner-up was sent off favourite to gain a first Grade 1 success at Leopardstown but he trailed home a well-beaten sixth of the eight runners. "Nothing at all has come to light really and all the tests he had done have come back A1, so I really can't put my finger on it at the moment," he said. "Davy (Russell) said he didn't feel right on the day and we just don't know what the problem was. He seems fine at the moment and I do think he's a class horse but that last run has just knocked us back a bit. Hopefully he can put that behind him next time."
