Finian's has a Grade 1 now Finian's Oscar provided Colin Tizzard with yet another Grade One by powering away from his rivals to win the 32Red Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown. Stepping up markedly in class having won on his hurdling debut at Hereford, the result never looked in any doubt. Sent off the 11-10 favourite, he was steadied into the last by Tom O'Brien but kept up the gallop in testing ground to win by five lengths. Harry Fry's Chalonnial put the early pace to the race, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Capitaine trying to go with the winner as he kicked for home. While Capitaine stuck on for second, he looked a very tired horse crossing the line, while Chalonnial claimed third. Yorkhill landed the race 12 months ago before going on to win the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and William Hill make Finian's Oscar the new 5-1 favourite for that race. He is also a 7-1 chance for the Supreme and available at 8-1 for the Albert Bartlett. Finian's Oscar's triumph adds to a fruitful campaign for Tizzard, with Cue Card winning the Betfair Chase, Thistlecrack landing the King George and Native River lifting both the Hennessy and Welsh National in what has been a memorable few weeks. O'Brien told ITV Racing: "He's very special. He was a little bit inexperienced but kept it together and ran well. He was a bit lonely at the last, but he got it done well." O'Brien went on: "I've not ridden many horses like him. It was like riding a Grade One horse in a handicap, he does everything so easy. "I was hoping Sam (Twiston-Davies on Capitaine) might come with me for longer, but he got the job done. "The pressure didn't affect me, there were six runners and it was a straightforward race. I've only won one Grade One (Souffleur, Challow Hurdle, 2007), it took me a long time to get on another, so the feeling now is relief." Tizzard said: "He's a beautiful young horse, but we didn't know he was going to do that. He's only won a point to point and a novices' hurdle at Hereford, but the way he did it at Hereford, why waste him in a little race when you can have a go at this? "He justified it (the decision to run) and handled the ground well. He looked in control most of the way and he soon went five lengths clear. "He stuttered into the last and I thought 'is he going to stop', but as soon as Tom got busy, he went on again. "I would have been disappointed if he didn't win at Hereford but coming here today was completely different as it was a proper race back over two miles. "He probably will run again and then go for one of the races at Cheltenham. He could go any trip, I think the easiest option is to go two and a half, but he's got the speed for two and he stays."
