OSCAR TIZZ A BIG STAR Tolworth stroll
It was the latest big success for the trainer who dominated the Christmas period with Thistlecrack and Native River. Finian’s Oscar was a £250,000 recruit and was always going to see off his five rivals in rain-softened ground at Sandown. 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 an easy five lengths. The race was won by Yorkhill last season who went on to win the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival and last night William Hill made Finian’s Oscar 5-1 favourite for that race. 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 JASON HEAVEY 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?”
Jockey O’Brien said: “He’s very special. I’ve not ridden many horses like him.
“It was like riding a Grade One horse in a handicap, he does everything so easy.”
Fergal O’ Brien’s Global Stage ran a race full of promise on what was his hurdling debut and looks one to follow.
Pete The Feat rolled back the years to win the Veterans’ Chase and give Charlie Longsdon his first winner in almost a month.
The 13-year-old was given a beautiful ride by Aidan Coleman.
Elsewhere there was an impressive performance at Newcastle from Forest Bihan who strolled to a novice chase success and looks set for big things.
Willie Mullins’ Chateau Conti was cut to 16-1 for the Supreme at Cheltenham after an easy win at Cork and Garde La Victoire showed plenty of guts to win at Sandown.
And the excellent Adrian Heskin rode a double at Wincanton including a top ride on KK Lexion.