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Tom George guided by ground conditions for God's Own

3 minute read

Tom George has given God's Own another option, as well as Haydock's Betfair Chase, by putting his three-time Grade One winner in the Stella Artois 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

God's Own Picture: Pat Healy Photography

The eight-year-old is one of 10 entries for the Grade Two feature over two miles and five furlongs after the race was reopened.

George will monitor the weather at both tracks before deciding which race to aim for.

God's Own, who defeated the ill-fated Vautour in the Boylesports Champion Chase at Punchestown in April, made a pleasing reappearance when second to Third Intention in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month.

"He's in good form and we're ready to go," said the Slad trainer.

"He's in at Haydock as well. We'll just have to see what the weather does during the week.

"The better the ground, the better it is for him, so we'll be going wherever the ground is best.

"He'll go on good to soft but we don't want to go if it's soft ground.

"We wouldn't want to test his stamina over three miles on ground that was too soft for him.

"We're totally ground dependent, so it's what happens over the next few days."

The Ascot race could be a repeat of the Old Roan, with Third Intention, third-placed Vibrato Valtat and fifth home Royal Regatta also engaged.

Kerry Lee has put in her Fairyhouse Grade One scorer Kylemore Lough, while th e list is completed by Garde La Victoire, King's Odyssey, 2015 Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets, Eduard and Tenor Nivernais.