OWNER Dai Walters says Oscar Whisky is “absolutely bouncing” ahead of his likely return to action in next month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The dual Aintree Hurdle winner did not always convince with his jumping during his novice campaign over fences last season, but still managed to claim three races, including the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown in February.

Nicky Henderson’s nineyear- old is 7-1 favourite with the sponsors for the feature event at Cheltenham’s Open meeting on November 15 and Walters is keen to see his charge line up at Prestbury Park.

He said: “Oscar is in really good form at the moment. I know he’s an older horse now, but Nicky tells me he’s absolutely bouncing.

“Hopefully he’ll run in that (Paddy Power Gold Cup).”

Oscar Whisky is likely to spearhead a strong team of Walters runners at the Open meeting, with Whisper, last season’s Coral Cup and Liverpool Hurdle winner, set to embark upon a career over fences.

“We’ve made our minds up and he’s going to go the same route as Oscar Whisky this time last year and go novice chasing,” said the owner.

“Hopefully he might start off at Cheltenham in November.

“He’s bred to be a good chaser and I think he’ll be our star horse this season.”

Walters also revealed Edmund Kean has moved from David Pipe’s yard to Peter Bowen and could be targeted at the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

The Henderson-trained West Wizard has not been seen since suffering a long-odds-on reverse on his hurdling debut at Kempton last November.