Finian's Oscar continued a dream Aintree Festival for his connections with victory in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle.
1425 Aintree result
1st Finian's Oscar 3/1 fav
2nd Captain Forez 14/1
3rd Messire Des Obeaux 7/2
Report
Robbie Power, Colin Tizzard and Ann and Alan Potts continued their fantastic Aintree when Finian's Oscar took the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle - a third Grade One success in the space of 24 hours for the team.
Messire Des Obeaux looked to have stolen a march on his rivals when kicking for home approaching the second last but Power had the move covered aboard the eventual winner.
He'd mastered that rival by the final flight and there were no closers to threaten him for all Captain Forez came through to snatch the forecast spot.
Finian's Oscar was forced to miss the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham due to a late setback and this three lengths success was ample compensation. He is now four from four over hurdles.
Sky Bet cut the winner to 7/1 from 12s for next year's JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham and 14s from 25s for the RSA Chase.
Reaction
Robbie Power: "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."
Colin Tizzard: "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."
'Im sure he'll go chasing next season. Hopefully he won't run again this time, he is entered at Punchestown but I'll have a chat with Alan.
"Horses like him don't come around very often. He was jumping his hurdles high, he's won a point-to-point. I haven't schooled him over fences yet but he's just a lovely horse."