Brain Power’s first start in the United States in October restored his reputation as a top-class jumper and placed him firmly on the list of finalists for the Eclipse Award as the outstanding steeplechaser of 2019. Brain Power had only one start in the United States in 2019, a 15-length win in the Grade 1 Grand National Stakes at Far Hills, N.J., on Oct. 19. Well known in England for his promise, as well as his recent setbacks, Brain Power gave famous English trainer Nicky Henderson his first win in the $450,000 Grand National. The win ended a two-race losing streak and was Brain Power’s first win since December 2018 in the $172,200 International Hurdle at 2 1/8 miles at Cheltenham Racecourse in England. Earlier in 2019, Brain Power was pulled up in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, the country’s top race for two-mile hurdlers, and pulled up in the Scottish Hurdle at Ayr in April, one of the top late-season hurdle races. :: Full list of 2019 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories Brain Power did not race over the summer and arrived in New Jersey with something to prove. The Grand National, run at 2 5/8 miles over an undulating course, drew a tough field of 12. Brain Power, owned by Michael Buckley, was 5-1 and part of a talented group of shippers that included Jury Duty, the winner of the 2018 Grand National at Far Hills for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott. Jockey Nico de Boinville, closely associated with Henderson in England in recent years, traveled across the Atlantic to ride Brain Power, having been aboard for six of his previous seven starts since the start of 2018. De Boinville had Brain Power in a stalking position in third for the first two miles, well placed behind pacesetter Iranistan. On the final turn, Wicklow Brave, the 8-5 favorite, and Brain Power drew clear of their 10 rivals. Wicklow Brave appeared to have Brain Power held going to the last obstacle, but made a vital mistake, and unseated jockey Paul Townend. Sadly, Wicklow Brave, a famous runner on the flat and over obstacles in recent years for trainer Willie Mullins, sustained a fatal injury in the fall. Brain Power was left alone on the lead and won by 15 lengths over Scorpiancer, another finalist for the steeplechase Eclipse Award for 2019. “He placed me where ever I wanted to be,” de Boinville said. “He jumped very well, and he ran very well.” An 8-year-old in 2019, Brain Power has won 8 of 21 starts. He has won 2 of 5 starts since undergoing a back operation in the summer of 2018 and has shown the versatility to run over hurdles and over tougher fences. Brain Power was second in the $243,400 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in March 2018, one of the top races of the year for two-mile novice chasers.