A Grade One winner at Aintree for the last two seasons, he was last seen taking part in a hugely eventful race at Punchestown, when he was carried out by Al Boum Photo at the final fence.

"He was out in the field showing signs of colic, but it was more than just colic. They operated on him, but a couple of days later he had major organ failure and died," Tizzard told Press Association Sport.

"Obviously horses do get colic, but to get this type is rare. He went to the best place in England to be treated, but they still couldn't save him.

"It's very sad."

Owned by the late Alan and Ann Potts, Finian's Oscar won seven of his 13 races under rules, earning over £220,000 in prize-money during his relatively short career.