Oscars Brother upwardly mobile over fences Oscars Brother was nothing if not game in bringing home the Grade 2 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase for the King brothers. Former crack jockey Connor King is in the fledgling stages of his training career and this was the biggest winner he has saddled, with his brother Daniel doing the steering. Oscars Brother was always towards the head of affairs, but looked vulnerable to strong-travelling Koktail Divin who loomed large after the third-last fence. The pursuer wasn't able to quite get on terms with Oscars Brother in the straight and push came to shove on Koktail Divin after the penultimate fence. Darragh O'Keeffe asked Koktail Divin for a big leap to make up the ground at the last, however, his partner went low at it and Oscars Brother ran on well along the run-in to seal the honours by three lengths to justify 7/4 favouritism. Runner-up Koktail Divin was a 7/2 chance. Oscars Brother is really going the right way over fences having filled the runner-up berths at Tipperary and Listowel before taking a beginners' chase at Galway last month. Trainer King said: “We’ve always liked him. He did well over hurdles, and we always hoped he’d be a better chaser. “I’ve been keeping my eye on this race for a long time. I remember there was only three runners in it last year and thinking it would be a nice race to aim for. “He’s had a month in between each run over fences which has been ideal. He’s a very straightforward horse and we like to ride him positively. “I think he jumped better the last day, but he got the job done. “It’s disappointing for us that they have got rid of the three mile novice chase at Leopardstown. “Limerick is 2m5f and it will probably be heavy ground so that might suit him, and we could travel as well. “Staying races is his thing and there is plenty to look forward to. I still think there is loads left in him and he’s always fresh after his races. I don’t think we have got to the bottom of him.” Paddy Power gave Oscars Brother a first show of 33/1 for the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
