Aintree tips for Sunday: God’s Own to land hat-trick in Old Roan

God’s Own to land Old Roan spoils

Sunday’s certainly not a day of rest for horse racing punters as a fascinating seven-race card at Aintree, headed by the Old Roan handicap chase (3.50), breathes life into the schedule.

Previous course and distance winner God’s Own is taken to land the spoils. The Tom George shaped grafter was seen finishing last season with a flurry, scoring back-to-back wins at Aintree and Punchestown. The first of that run came in the Grade One JLT Melling Chase over track and trip when getting the beating of nearest rival Al Ferof by a comfortable margin, despite going off at double-figure odds. A slight error when going right in the run-in made things closer than they should’ve been that day, but it did little to affect the outcome.

That eye-catching effort was followed up, less than three weeks later, when doing the business in the Champion Chase at Punchestown over a shorter trip, leading home a talent-laden field, including the Ruby Walsh ridden Vautour who started as odds-on favourite. There were some big names in behind too, ensuring it’ll be a long time before we see God’s Own written off quite so readily again.

Those results mean punters have waited with real optimism for his return and with a CV of 17 top-three finishes, including seven wins from 23 starts, there’s still more expected of this horse who has taken no less than three Grade One prizes to date. Claims are boosted by the presence of Adrian Heskin in the saddle, and although the horse enjoyed a great working relationship with Paddy Brennan previously, he has been left in good hands with Heskin who is more than capable of taking up the slack.

Perform backed to live up to his name