FINIAN'S Oscar maintained his unbeaten record after claiming a second top-level success with a decisive victory in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle. Arriving at Aintree a fresh horse after missing his engagement at the Cheltenham Festival, the Colin Tizzard-trained five-year-old dominated rivals in the Grade 1 prize.

Held up by Robbie Power early on, the 3/1 favourite - who was last seen winning a listed event at Exeter in February - gradually worked his way through the field, before picking up Messire Des Obeaux on the run down to the last. Once sent on by Power, the winner quickened smartly to defeat the staying-on Captain Forez by three lengths, with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Messire Des Obeaux in third.