Finian's Oscar and Robbie Power© Photo Healy Racing
Finian's Oscar won at the Grand National meeting for the second successive year when coming with a late flourish to win the Big Buck's Celebration Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree.
Colin Tizzard 's charge had made several errors on his way round and jumping the second-last he was in a poor fourth. Cyrname set a good early gallop, but jumped to his right on several occasions, effectively ruining his chance. Harry Skelton tracked him until turning into the straight on Rene's Girl and the mare appeared to have everything covered.
But Finian's Oscar finally began to stay on running to the last and while Rene's Girl jumped it well, her stride was shortening and the well-supported 5-2 chance won going away in the end under Robbie Power. Brain Power was an early casualty.
Tizzard said: "He was always just in touch. He raced lazily. Initially, I'd think Punchestown is next. I don't think we're finished this year as he hasn't raced much. If he comes out of this OK I'm sure he'll have that option.
"He's a strong stayer and he's maybe a Hennessy (Newbury) horse (next season). He's a lovely horse."
He added: "Good horses don't necessarily have to be brilliant every time. He was quite good at Cheltenham and Cheltenham form is always the best form of the season.
"He was better today. It was ringing in my ears what Robbie said at Cheltenham - that we should go three miles next time. He jumped really well and travelled really well until they started racing. Then he hit one, or two, and it didn't look very promising for a while, but he was just close enough the whole time.
"He's on form right now and I would imagine we'll look at Punchestown (Growise Champion Novice Chase). He (Power) is a master horseman, he's a class rider."
Power remains adamant Finian's Oscar will be a better horse over three miles.
He said: "His jumping has been his problem. He just gets unsure of himself, but I knew going to the last he had got into a good rhythm. We got away with it over two and a half (miles)."
Dan Skelton, trainer of Rene's Girl, said: "She jumped the best of them all and travelled well, but she just got nabbed. The winner is a very good horse and has probably spent all season saving up for today.
"We've had a great year with her. I thought jumping two out, we were definitely going to win. Going to the last I thought they were all flying at us a bit. It was a great run by a mare."
