No rush to decide on National for Oscars Brother

A decision on whether Oscars Brother runs in the Randox Grand National will be made nearer to the time.

Trained in Tipperary by Connor King, who only looks after one other horse under rules, the eight-year-old was bought privately by JP McManus after winning the Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase in November.

He made a winning debut in the green and gold silks in the Ten Up at Navan before finishing a creditable fourth in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase behind Kitzbuhel at Cheltenham last week, beaten just over five lengths.

“He’s come out of the race well, thankfully,” said King.

“He ran a really good race, the ground would have been quicker than he’d ideally want but he stuck at it and he was gaining on them again after the last.

“It was a top-class race and he showed he belongs in that sort of company.

“I’m not just sure about the National yet, obviously he’s in it but we don’t have to decide just yet.

“We’ll give him a week or so to see how he properly comes out of the race and then we’ll make a decision.”