made all, 2 lengths ahead and going strongly when left in command 12th, clear when bad mistake 3 out, pushed out run-in, eased towards finish, unchallenged
chased clear leading pair, outpaced when mistake 11th, plugged on into poor 2nd at the last, never any chance with winner
held up in rear, well outpaced 9th, remote 4th before 3 out, tailed off
chased winner, 2 lengths down when blundered badly 12th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, weakened and lost 2nd at the last, not recover
took keen hold, held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, well outpaced when mistake 9th, weakened and lost remote 4th before 3 out, tailed off
God's Own was actually second in this last year behind Balder Succes. He beat that rival over a shorter trip at Exeter on his reappearance but has been a bit disappointing in a couple of starts since and wouldn't want any more rain. On a line through Vilbrato Valtat, he may struggle to get the better of IRISH SAINT. Paul Nicholls' novice comes here off the back of a second in a Grade 1 at Sandown and may find this easier course more to his liking. Melodic Rendezvous, a useful hurdler, chased home a promising novice at Exeter after making a winning start over fences at Bangor but may lack the scope of some of his rivals, though does get 7lb from the likely principals. Hollow Penny would have been much better off in a handicap.
Irish Saint (FR) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked winner, hit 12th, pushed along before 3 out, driven and effort between last two, held when hit last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Gitane Du Berlais (10-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Hollow Penny 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 10th until 11th, pushed along when not fluent and stumbled 3 out, soon beaten, well held from next, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Southfield Theatre (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Gun Shy (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tended to jump right, led, went right 3rd and 5th, mistake 6th, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, soon behind and pulled up, in a race won by Beau Lake (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Melodic Rendezvous 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th, not fluent 6th, closed going well 4 out, not fluent next, soon ridden, close 3rd when left 2nd last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Southfield Theatre (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs.
Sea Current (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Raced keenly, held up behind until headway to track leaders 3rd, outpaced before 4 out, no impression from next, last of 7, 20l behind Royal Regatta (11-7) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Jan.
God's Own (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, awkward 2nd, not fluent next, 2 lengths ahead 3 out, ridden and headed between last two, weakened and eased before left in poor 3rd at the last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Vibrato Valtat (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov chs (1) sft in Dec.
