Benatar outjumps Finian's Oscar en route to hard-fought victory in a thriller

Jumping is the name of the game, as they say, and Benatar was slicker at his fences than favourite Finian's Oscar, coming out on top in a thrilling photo finish to the Grade 2 Mitie Noel Novices' Chase.

Benatar, in receipt of 5lb from his main market rival, looks the latest talent off Gary Moore's West Sussex production line, but it was his professionalism rather than ability that won him the day here.

"I was very happy with that," said Moore. "If the race had been run at a better gallop you'd have seen a better horse, as it wasn't run quite to suit. I think he's a good horse and he's proved it today. He really stuck his neck out."

Finian's Oscar was very novicey at many of his fences and jumped boldly at others when fired at one by Bryan Cooper, yet the 6-5 market leader had so much ability he was in front turning in despite amassing a fine collection of Berkshire birch.

Full result and replay

He went on from the home bend but his jumping in the straight again let him down and the game Benatar, who was sent off 7-4 second favourite, got his head in front and refused to let him past.

To his immense credit Finian's Oscar came again and fought all the way to the line, but there was a short head in it when all was said and done.

Bookmakers reacted by pushing Finian's Oscar out to 12-1 for the JLT at the Cheltenham Festival in March and cutting Benatar for the same race, with his price ranging from 10-1 to 16s. Pushing out Finian's Oscar prompted several firms to trim either Death Duty or Willoughby Court in the same market.

Moore said: "You'd have to think his future is at Cheltenham; his owner's keen to go. It'd either be the RSA or the JLT and whether he has one more run or not I don't know, I'll have to speak to Jamie [Moore – jockey]."

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