IT’S always sad to lose a good horse but it’s even worse to lose a good one who had the potential to be even better. Finian’s Oscar had a topsy-turvy season but he was a horse who still had the scope to go right to the top coming into his second-season-chaser year.

After a couple of poor runs at Cheltenham, Colin Tizzard’s chaser came into his own back at Aintree, landing the Manifesto Chase in determined fashion. Up to three miles at Punchestown, he looked to be coming with a huge challenge when taken out by Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend in the now infamous Growise Novice Chase.

In the midst of all the hoo-ha that race produced, his effort probably went a little under the radar. That was his first run over three miles over fences and it could well have been his pinnacle trip.

Connections were aiming him at the Ladbrokes Trophy. It’s a shame we won’t see him there.

Blue has a Point to prove

BLUE Point will probably always be associated with Harry Angel. Same age, same owner, same race category. In this case Ascot is a common denominator between the two. Harry Angel has won everywhere bar Ascot and Blue Point has won three of his four races at Ascot.

Harry Angel won the July Cup on Newmarket’s July course last year but injury has ruled him out of defending his crown. So, Blue Point is the main flagbearer for Godolphin today on his first run on Newmarket’s July course. He could prove equally as effective but you can’t say that with confidence. He has to go out and do it first.