GLENDALE TIPS

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 knows there is little point in ploughing away with this one in the deep winter months as he seems 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, 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 second-last and was found wanting up the hill.

Whoistosaywhatwouldhavehappened but for that mistake, but God’s Own is known as a spring performer and should be capable of turning the Cheltenham form around with both second Fox Norton and fourth Top Gamble, particularly as this extra half-mile is right up his street.

George could also hold the key to thedoombarseftonnovices’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 kicked for home at Cheltenham but got the second last all wrong and paid the price. As long as that hasn’t 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.

River Wylde was soundly beaten by Labaik at Cheltenham but he kicked for home plenty early enough and perhaps the Cheltenham hill was his real undoing as he clouted