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
tracked leading pair until 3rd, rallied into 3rd again 2 out, chased winner before last, every chance last, kept on run-in, held last 100 yards
tracked clear leader, closed after 3 out, ridden to lead between last two, joined last, pressed run-in, stayed on to assert final 100 yards
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway tracking leading pair 3rd, pushed along and lost 3rd 2 out, keeping on in 2 lengths 3rd again before fell last
held up in last pair, dropped to last at 3rd, never on terms after, weakened 8th, tailed off and eased before 3 out, left poor 4th at the last, tailed off
God's Own made an early mistake and was never really travelling when well beaten in the Tingle Creek earlier this month. But, back in novice company, it would be no surprise to see Tom George's talented gelding bounce back. Grandouet is another with plenty of ability. He makes his seasonal reappearance today but was second in this last year and is still relatively unexposed. Likely improvers include Three Kingdoms, who has won five of his last seven career starts, and Melodic Rendezvous - the latter won a Grade 1 over hurdles. VIBRATO VALTAT showed a fine turn of foot to overturn earlier Cheltenham running with Dunraven Storm at Sandown two weeks ago. The third, Irish Saint, has won easily since and Paul Nicholls' grey can follow up today.
God's Own (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, under pressure before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 22l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft.
Three Kingdoms (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Tracked leader, challenged and not fluent last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m nov chs (4) sft beating Ifandbutwhynot (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, under pressure after 2 out, ridden to lead after last, soon hung badly left, ran on well (1 fence omitted), won at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft beating Dunraven Storm (11-2) by 2l, 4 ran.
Deep Trouble (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, left in 3rd place 7th, pushed along before 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before next, in a race won by Coneygree (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Grandouet (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 8th, lost place approaching 3 out, well beaten when blundered 2 out, last of 7, well behind The New One (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Formal Bid (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always last, mistake 3rd, hit 9th, outpaced and no chance from 12th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Ptit Zig (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft.
Melodic Rendezvous 4-11fav (10-13) Held up mainly in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, driven and effort next, upsides last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, led narrowly final strides, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) hvy beating Boondooma (10-13) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
