Oscar maintains unbeaten record at Exeter

Colin Tizzard insisted he was no nearer to knowing which race Finian's Oscar would run in at Cheltenham after he predictably outclassed his rivals in the Free Bet At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle at Exeter.

Snapped up for 250,000 sterling by Alan and Ann Potts after winning his only start in the Irish point-to-point field, the five-year-old made an impressive debut for Tizzard at Hereford before graduating to Grade One level with honours after producing a sparkling display in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Already ante-post favourite for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and also holding an entry in the shorter Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Finian's Oscar was extremely prohibitive odds to complete his hat-trick in this Listed contest as the 1-16 favourite.

It was fairly plain sailing for Tom O'Brien's mount, with the handsome gelding initially tracking Taws before taking over the running in the back straight.

While the rest faltered - with Whatmore running out and smashing through the wings of one hurdle - Taws did his best to keep tabs on Finian's Oscar rounding the home turn.

But Tizzard's ace had too many guns and safely negotiated the remaining obstacles to prevail by four and a half lengths.

Tizzard said: "That hasn't told us anything and I'm still in the dark as to whether he will run in the Neptune or the Supreme. I really don't know which one.

"We will talk about it in the next two weeks. All we know is that was only his third hurdle race and it shows his well-being, nothing more. He's a very relaxed horse, as we saw today, but we haven't really gained anything.

"Everyone was in today's race at the five-day stage, but they backed off."

Tea For Two came out on top in an incident-packed running of the 188bet.co.uk Graduation Chase.

Much interest surrounded the Tizzard-trained Alary, who was on a mission to redeem his tall reputation having been pulled up on his British debut in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

It looked like he would do just that when left in front by the fall of early leader Carraig Mor six out, with 8-11 favourite Tea For Two having to be niggled to get on terms.

The market leader responded well for Lizzie Kelly, though, and had got the measure of Alary when he crashed out at the third-last, taking a heavy fall but thankfully getting to his feet.

Tea For Two, meanwhile, strode on to a 17-length victory over Henri Parry Morgan, who was the only other finisher.

Trainer Nick Williams said he thought the winner would go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but his wife and assistant Jane put forward a more cautious stance.

She said: "It's a dilemma, but they have made him favourite for the BetBright Chase at Kempton (February 25) and that's his track.

"Cheltenham is not nearly as suitable, but he has to go somewhere."

It was Tea For Two's third win at the Haldon course from as many visits.

Perfect Candidate put up a terrific performance under top-weight to win the 188Bet Veterans' Handicap Chase.

Paddy Brennan - recovered from his nasty spill on Whatmore - was keen to get on with things from flag-fall and was always to the head of affairs, jumping four from home with a two-length advantage.

That was to only increase, ultimately to five lengths over Whats Happening, who edged Masters Hill and Harry Topper in a very tight finish for second.

Winning trainer Fergal O'Brien revealed he has Aintree ambitions for his 12-1 scorer.

He said: "Being a 10-year-old was an advantage to him in this race and all credit to Paddy for pulling him up early at Cheltenham, because it meant he didn't really have a race there.

"Today he jumped and travelled all the way and I hope he'll be a Grand National horse. He missed the cut by two last year, but this time he will get in."

Impulsive Star, who also came from the Irish point-to-point ranks, continued his progression with victory in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

The Neil Mulholland-trained seven-year-old was making his handicap debut and jumped into a clear advantage three out, and while Rocklander looked a threat, his chance was not helped by a mistake at the second-last.

The winning margin was eventually three and a half lengths for the Sam Waley-Cohen-ridden 11-4 favourite, with Mulholland now keeping his fingers crossed he gets into the final at Cheltenham.

He said: "Hopefully he will go up 7lb or 8lb, but at least we have him qualified for the race now.

"The bottom was (a mark of) 135 last year. Unowhatimeanharry missed the cut and went for the Albert Bartlett.

"We needed to win well today, which we have, so let's keep our fingers crossed we get into the handicap.

"He travelled, jumped and it is job done."