FINIAN'S OSCAR continued to live up to his huge reputation after making it two from two over fences with a poignant success in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, writes Graham Clark.

After making a winning debut over fences at Chepstow last month, the Colin Tizzard-trained five-year-old who was a Grade-One winning novice hurdler last season, defied an 8lb penalty when carrying the colours of his late owner Alan Potts to glory.

Potts, one of the leading owners in the game, who has ploughed millions into the sport, died on Sunday. His family has agreed that his racing operation will carry on – in the short term at least.

Tizzard said: "He looked like he'd lost it, but then he jumped the last on a long stride and stayed on beautifully. In the end he's won quite cosily and he always has something left in the locker.

"He's a beautiful creature and you've got to remember he was giving 8lb to good horses."

Cotswold-trained horses who so dominated the earlier Cheltenham cards this season drew a blank on Countryside Day.

Third places were the best they could do with the Tom George-trained Champagne City and Poetic Rhythm, who is with Fergal O'Brien, putting up honourable placed performances.