Finian's Oscar impresses in Mersey at Aintree

Finian's Oscar continued a dream Aintree Festival for his connections with victory in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle.

Robbie Power, Colin Tizzard and Ann and Alan Potts continued their fantastic Aintree when Finian's Oscar landed 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.

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."

Tizzard is now looking forward to sending Finian's Oscar over fences next term, with the trainer not keen on pitching up at Punchestown at the end of April.

He said: "I'm 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."

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."