Expensive Finian's delivers Oscar performance on rules debut

Perhaps money does buy winners as the £250,000 splashed out for Finian’s Oscar at the Cheltenham sales last month certainly looks cash well spent following his victory romp in the 2m5½f novice hurdle.

The four-year-old was knocked down to Tom Malone, who was bidding on behalf owners Ann and Alan Potts, and he could well be another star in the making for trainer Colin Tizzard.

Tizzard’s daughter Kim said: “They went to the sales with the intention of buying this horse and that’s what they did. Ever since he's been at the yard he's settled nicely into the routine and has been working like a very good horse.