The Louisa Carberry-trained Gran Diose was on somewhat of a comeback mission in the G2 Grand Steeplechase de Compiègne having jumped poorly when ninth in the G3 Prix de la Gascogne (3800m) at the same track prior. However, connections of the six-year-old were not deterred by his underwhelming performance that day and neither was his jockey, James Reveley.

Always well-placed behind the leaders Gran Diose got into a good rhythm and jumped considerably better than on his penultimate outing. James Reveley always looked confident, and the pair travelled up smoothly to long time leader and eventual runner-up Grandeur Nature as they entered the straight. Held together approaching the last under an ice cool Reveley the son of Planteur lengthened away in smart style putting a clear four-and-a-half lengths between him and the rest of the field. 

Louisa Carberry went on to explain how an early mistake in the G3 Prix de la Gascogne (3800m) put paid to his chances straight away. She went on to suggest there could be plenty more to come from this horse and that he continues to strengthen both mentally and physically. 

A potential tilt at the G2 Prix Georges Courtois (4400m) at Auteuil could be on the cards.