held up, headway 15th, ridden when switched left approaching 2 out, chased winner last, ran on
not jumped well, soon behind, struggling when pulled up before 14th
chased leaders, ridden after 12th, hampered 15th, weakened next
led to 3rd, chased leader until went lame after 14th, soon pulled up
mid-division, headway 14th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last
in touch, left in lead after 15th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened quickly
mid-division, headway 12th, weakened 2 out
held up, mistake and reminder 5th, hit 12th, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
prominent and keen, hit 1st, led 3rd, blundered badly and saddle slipped 15th, soon pulled up
A tricky looking chase that can be short-listed to three namely Oh My Lord, Personal Assurance and Iverain with the vote going to the last named. Iverain was extremely frustrating as a young horse with Paul Nicholls and always looked as though he was either ungenuine or had no trip but came good over course and distance last time out. With confidence on his side and still racing off a low mark for his standards he may be worth siding with again. Oh My Lord is unexposed with only three runs and looked as though he could improve further after his eye catching second around Wexford last time out. Trainer Tony Martin will be on a high after his Royal Ascot At York winner on Tuesday so is worth noting in the market. Personal Assurance has risen in the weights since coming back to his best when winning at Worcester last time out. He has more on his plate today so for the winner we return to Iverain.
Personal Assurance 7-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 8th, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, headed flat, rallied to lead close home, all out, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May beating Gumley Gale (11-8) by a shd, 10 ran.
Jacquemart Colombe (FR) 10-3fav (11-8) Chased leaders, reminders after 5th, behind from 12th, 5th of 10, 26l behind Personal Assurance (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Clever Thyne (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 5th, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kjetil (10-7) at Ludlow 3m nov chs (D) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Cassia Heights 8-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 5th, chased leader 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance when badly jinked right last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Iverain (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Monita Des Bois (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Led, hit last, soon ridden, headed 2f out on long run-in, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Pequenita (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in May.
Iverain (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Prominent, lost place 15th, rallied approaching last, led towards finish, all out, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May beating Koquelicot (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mullensgrove 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 11th, led after next, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Totheroadyouvgone (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf.
Oh My Lord (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Soon 2nd, 3rd and ridden 2 out, 2nd last, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Bothar Na (11-13) at Wexford 3m hts chs gd in May.
