CONNECTIONS of Oscar Whisky are convinced his Cheltenham nous could be a defining factor in the JLT Novices’ Chase today.

Nicky Henderson’s nineyear- old has won six times from 12 starts at the track, and was also third in the 2011 Champion Hurdle.

Oscar Whisky’s chasing career has so far gone smoothly as he has rattled off three victories – two of which came at Cheltenham against fellow JLT contenders Wonderful Charm and Taquin Du Seuil.

Although he had to work harder than expected in the three-runner Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown last month, the ground was extremely demanding in Esher.

Owner Dai Walters said: ‘‘He’s done well since Sandown and Nicky’s very, very happy with him.

‘‘The ground is drying up all the time and that will suit Oscar Whisky. We’ve always felt he is better on better ground.

‘‘It was terrible at Sandown but Barry (Geraghty, jockey) knew he was always going to win and did well to mind him through the race.

‘‘His record at Cheltenham is excellent and hopefully he can put that to good use again.’’ The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Taquin Du Seuil defeated Oscar Whisky on his chasing bow at Cheltenham and was a runaway winner of a Grade Two at Haydock in January.

O’Neill said: ‘‘He jumps well, needs a good gallop, and has a nice bit of experience behind him as well. We’ll have a lot of faith behind him.

‘‘I am very happy with my fellow and, last time, there was not much between him and Oscar Whisky (threequarters of a length) at Cheltenham and they were some 15 lengths ahead of the third.

‘‘He jumps well, he travels well and he does everything well.

‘‘Hopefully we’ll get a proper gallop at Cheltenham.’’ Wonderful Charm is the highest-rated horse in the line-up and was giving away 8lb when second to Oscar Whisky in a Cheltenham novice chase in December.

Trainer Paul Nicholls told Betfair: ‘‘He’s had a great season and it was good to go to Cheltenham to give him experience (of the track), giving all that weight away (to Oscar Whisky).

‘‘We purposely kept him fresh over the winter while the ground was bad.

‘‘Good to soft is fine, but the better the ground, the better he is. He loves to be fresh.’’