The Cheltenham Festival dream is alive for a couple who train horses as a hobby.
Tommy's Oscar is flying the flag for Ann and Ian Hamilton, who have just five thoroughbreds in their stable.
The seven-year-old came through his biggest test in the Grade 2 ''The New One' Unibet Hurdle.
It was his fourth victory on the trot and he justified his 4-7 odds by a comfortable five lengths.
The Hamiltons, who also run a cattle and sheep business in Northumberland, were delighted to get the win.
Ian Hamilton said: “He couldn’t have done it any easier really. He was there to be shot at today, odds-on favourite, he had quite a bit to lose and not a lot to gain.
“He’s seven, his improving all the time. We bought him as three-mile chaser but he doesn’t stay, he’s a two-miler. I’m chuffed to bits with him. If someone will drive the box we’ll go (to Cheltenham)!
“The only thing is he’s been winning races here and at Musselburgh and they are flat tracks, Cheltenham is very undulating which will be different. I suppose we’ve got to give it a go.”
Ann Hamilton, who is in her seventies and rides some of the horses at home, has had nine winners in the 2021-22 season.
The tally comes from just 22 runners – a strike rate of 41 per cent.
Despite having such a small operation, they have already won at a Grade 1 track, Aintree.
Former flagbearer Divet Hill took the 2003 Fox Hunters chase over the Grand National fences and Nuts Well scooped a Grade 2 prize in October 2020.
That is the same level Tommy's Oscar won at – and Paddy Power go 25-1 (from 50-1) he can take his form a notch higher in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
Jjockey Danny McMenamin said: "He’s very straightforward and jumps class so he’s a proven type.
“I had a very good season last season (when he was crowned champion conditional jockey) and when you lose your claim it’s hard enough to try and top it and it’s always going to set you back a bit but he’s given me my first winner of the year and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”
