Another G1 for Oscar

25th April 2008

An excellent season for Oscar was crowned at Punchestown on Thursday when Big Zeb (7g Oscar-Our Siveen, by Deep Run) landed the G1 Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase by four lengths.

Colm Murphy’s charge, who was bred by Lyle Buttimer, had finished second in G1 company on his previous two starts and looks set to be aimed at the big two-mile championship events next season.

"He is still a long way off the finished article and he has to improve, although we can dream," said Murphy. "He’ll be put away and we’ll see where we go next year with him - we’ll pick a couple of races early in the season and let him do the talking.

"I’m delighted for the horse because he deserved this win today. I think two miles in a fast run race suited him today."

Just over an hour after Big Zeb’s success, the brilliant mare Refinement (9m Oscar-Maneree, by Mandalus) came close to giving Oscar a G1 double when finishing second in the G1 Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle, a race she won last season.