Bryan Cooper rider of Finian's Oscar© Photo Healy Racing
Finian's Oscar was a poignant winner of the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in the colours of the late Alan Potts.
News of Potts' death, at the age of 80, emerged on Tuesday, only a matter of months after his wife, Ann, died, but his respective trainers were given the green light to go ahead with running plans this weekend.
There were a few hairy moments on the way round, but Finian's Oscar never looked like falling and his task was made slightly easier after only a few furlongs as Davy Russell was forced to pull up William Henry due to what looked a tack issue.
Bryan Cooper, who had been without a winner since the Colin Tizzard-trained Finian's Oscar won 34 days ago, took up the running before the straight, but approaching the last Movewiththetimes and Barry Geraghty quickened past him.
To his credit, the 10-11 favourite showed a very smart turn of foot to get back up and beat Paul Nicholls' runner, giving him 8lb.
Cooper told ITV Racing: "It was very sad what happened. I was in Colin's on Tuesday schooling this lad and all the others and I was only half an hour down the road on the way to the airport when Joe (Tizzard) called me to say what happened.
"He'll be a big loss to our game, he was a big spender and it's a pity he's not here to see him today - I'm sure he's looking down."
He added: "He's very smart this one, it was a messy race again and he was a little bit brave. I knew Barry was going to try and pounce on me if I didn't jump the last.
"He picked up well, though, and he's plenty of boot, he's two out of two (over fences) and can only get better.
"Unfortunately things have dried up for me in Ireland so to get on good horses like this, I'm very lucky."
Tizzard said: "He looked like he'd lost it, but then he jumped the last on a long stride and stayed on beautifully.
"He's opened up more doors today as that was a slowly-run two and a half miles so you would not rule him out of the Arkle.
"He was waiting for it to happen last time, but Bryan was more positive today. He jumped better than at Chepstow. In the end he's won quite cosily and he always has something left in the locker.
"Nothing fazes this horse and afterwards he was hardly blowing. He's a beautiful creature and you've got to remember he was giving 8lb to good horses."
Looking to options at the Festival in March, he said: "The JLT is attractive at this stage, but a fast-run Arkle might as well and that is the more prestigious race. I think with how he quickened up, he could be an Arkle horse but we don't need to decide that yet.
"Everyone connected will love that and it's magical moment for everyone concerned."
Joe Tizzard added: "He's a horse we hope will grow into a Gold Cup horse, but he doesn't need to be running over extreme distances. He showed a cracking turn of foot off the back of two out. It was a lovely performance."
Nicholls said of the runner-up: "He jumped well and travelled well and was just beaten by a better horse on the day.
"He seemed to get the trip well and he will end up winning races. A fast-run race would suit him better, but he has run well."
