Melling made for God’s Own

Tips: Feature race success can crown memorable day for Tom George

GOD’S OWN can spearhead what should be a memorable day for Tom George by winning the JLT Melling Chase, the feature event on day two of the Grand National meeting.

The nine-year-old comfortably disposed of Al Ferof in this Grade One event 12 months ago and he has enjoyed a similar prep this term.

George is no fool and knows there is little point in ploughing away with this one in the deep winter months as he really does seem to put his best foot forward when conditions are on the quicker side.

God’s Own managed to squeeze in three runs before Christmas, with his one-and-a-quarter-length third to Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek the undoubted highlight of those outings, before taking a break while the mud was flying.

Reappearing in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, God’s Own looked about to take a real hand in the finish before he made a mess of the secondlast and was found wanting up the hill.

George could also hold the key to the Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle as

THE WORLDS END looked likely to take a hand in the finish of the Albert Bartlett only to fall at the penultimate flight.

He had just really kicked for home at Cheltenham but got the second last all wrong and paid the price.

As long as that fall has not left a mark, The Worlds End can put up another bold show. RIVER WYLDE can follow in the hoofprints of illustrious stablemate Buveur D’Air by winning the Crabbie’s Top Novices’ Hurdle.

Buveur D’Air finished third in last year’s Supreme before taking this Grade One event and River Wylde is out to emulate that result for Nicky Henderson. SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: 1.40 Runswick Royal, 2.20 River Wylde, 2.50 Might Bite, 3.25 GOD’S OWN (NAP), 4.05 Bouvreuil, 4.40 The Worlds End, 5.15 Lalor.

SEDGEFIELD: 2.10 Oscar Lateen, 2.40 Invictus, 3.15 Taws, 3.50 Card Game, 4.25 Master Burbidge, 5.00 Daring Article, 5.30 Miss Joeking.

DOUBLE: God’s Own and The Worlds End.