COLIN TIZZARD had to clear his throat for yet another Oscar winner’s speech after landing Sandown’s 32Red Tolworth Hurdle.
The Dorset trainer bagged a string of big races over Christmas – including the King George with Thistlecrack – and Finian’s Oscar kept his hot-streak burning with an impressive success.
Described by Tizzard as his best young horse before he bolted up at Hereford last month, Finian’s Oscar kicked in the turbo when challenged by Ascot scorer Capitaine.
The heavily-backed 11-10 favourite stormed clear under Tom O’Brien for a five-length victory.
Sun Bets cut him to 6-1 for Cheltenham’s Neptune Novices’ Hurdle in March. There is also the option of remaining at two miles for the Supreme on the opening day of the Festival.
Tizzard – celebrating his 61st birthday – said: “He’s a gorgeous young horse.
“We didn’t know he was going to do that. I don’t know if he’ll run over two miles or two-and-a-half at Cheltenham. He’s the sort of horse you could run over any trip. We’ll have to sit down and have a think about that.
“It’s fantastic to have all these wonderful horses – I have to pinch myself that it’s happening.”
Charlie Longsdon got his teenage kicks when 13-year-old Pete The Feat caused a 20-1 surprise in the £100, 000 32Red Veterans’ Chase Final.
It was some return to form for Longsdon. He had just one winner in December and had drawn blank in the first week of the New Year.
But mud-loving Pete The Feat came good for a bumper pay-day with stablemate Loose Chips staying on for third.
Longsdon said: “I’ve had endless seconds, thirds and fourths over the last few weeks.
“Pete The Feat is a bit of a yob at home. If he was well behaved you would have to retire him as he wouldn’t be himself.”
Mercian Prince gave Amy Murphy – Britain’s youngest trainer – her seventh career winner with a battling two-length success in the handicap chase.
Murphy, 24, only started training less than three months ago.
She beamed: “I’m delighted. We’ve got off to a fantastic start.”
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