Finian’s Oscar, the star of last season’s autumn point-to-point season, made a pleasing return to race action at Chepstow on Saturday, as he made his first appearance over fences on the racecourse, a winning one.
Colin Tizzard chose the listed Robert Bottram Memorial Trophy at Chepstow as the first port of call for his son of Oscar to kickstart his novice chase campaign, and the five-year-old did not disappoint, running out a comfortable wide-margin winner of the 2m3f contest.
Setting off at the rear of the field in the four-runner race, Finian’s Oscar, who had Alan Potts’ new retained rider, Bryan Cooper, aboard for the first time, jumped carefully throughout the first mile.
However, once being asked to reduce the lead of the front pair, Aintree My Dream and Alcala, Finian’s Oscar warmed to his task, a task which was lessened when Alcala slipped-up on the home bend with four to jump.
That left Finian’s Oscar stalking fellow pointing graduate Aintree My Dream to the fourth-last, but he was soon in front as he travelled powerfully on the bridle.
By the line, Finian’s Oscar had 11-lengths to spare over Tintern Theatre despite being heavily eased inside the closing stages.
Having been forced to miss the Cheltenham Festival last season following a small injury setback, Tizzard already has the Festival in his thoughts, confirming that Finian’s Oscar, a four-year-old point-to-point winner at Portrush last October before claiming two Grade 1 prizes over hurdles within that same debut season, would be heading to Prestbury Park next, either at the end of this month, or for their November meeting.
Nicely done! A winning start over fences for Finian's Oscar at @Chepstow_Racing and a first winner in those colours for @92bryan92: pic.twitter.com/1DgYJ8o1zb
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 14, 2017
