Finian's Oscar© Photo Healy Racing
Finian's Oscar maintained his unbeaten record after claiming a second top-level success with a decisive victory in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.
Arriving at Aintree a fresh horse after missing his engagement at the Cheltenham Festival, the Colin Tizzard-trained five-year-old dominated rivals in the Grade One prize.
Held up by Robbie Power early on, the 3-1 favourite - who was last seen winning a Listed event at Exeter in February - gradually worked his way through the field, before picking up Messire Des Obeaux on the run down to the last.
Once sent on by Power, the winner quickened smartly to defeat the staying-on Captain Forez by three lengths, with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Messire Des Obeaux in third.
Power, winning his third Grade One of the week in the colours of Alan and Ann Potts, said: "He's a very, very good horse. He was a little bit green and took a while to find his feet. I knew turning in I had a lot of horse under me. It's been a fantastic week."
Tizzard said: "He's done his job, he's unbeaten over hurdles this year and we can dream about next year now. He's got everything in front of him.
"When Robbie came down last week he jumped him over hurdles twice so he knew what to expect.
"He's just a lovely horse."
Dan Skelton was more than satisfied with the runner-up and has already mapped out a plan for next season.
He said: "The winner has never been beaten so it was a big run from my fellow on the quickest ground he's encountered. He's still a work in progress and we have just looked after him this year.
"Next season he will go for a novice hurdle, then it will be Graded all the way."
Alan King expects Messire Des Obeaux to embark on a chasing campaign.
He said: "That is almost definitely his last race of the season and he will go chasing in the autumn. All through the week I thought that was the best novice (hurdle) with some very taking horses and nothing has happened to change my mind."
