held up, chasing leaders after 2nd, weakened 7th, tailed off
held up, hit 5th, headway 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off
held up, headway 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leading pair, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, poor 5th when fell 2 out
started slowly, always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader until led after 2nd, drew clear after 3 out, eased flat
chased leaders, not fluent 4, behind from 6, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, driven 7th, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
fell 2nd
led until after 2nd, chased winner after, hit 3 out, soon beaten
started slowly, always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Lord Henry gets the vote over Inch Pride, Slaney Eagle and Albarino in this beginners' chase. Philip Hobbs likes to keep a small but select summer team ticking over, and will be looking to Lord Henry to perhaps run up a sequence over fences, starting on his debut here. He kept good company over timber, and indeed lined up at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals this year, so it was no surprise when he returned to winning ways at Bangor last month, making all in the process. Sure to have been well schooled, he has the class to make a perfect start over the bigger obstacles. Inch Pride was sent off as favourite on his chase bow at Uttoxeter, but was beaten when heavily eased on the run-in and gets another chance to prove that he too can translate his useful hurdles form to fences. Seventh in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, he should be capable of picking up a few races over fences, and can give the selection most to do. Slaney Eagle found one too good on his third outing over fences at Limerick, his final start in Ireland and can pay to follow in time, while Albarino will appreciate the step up in trip. Lord Henry can put his rivals in the shade to open his account over fences.
Albarino (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, pulled hard, headway after 2nd, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Handy Money (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (3) gd in May.
Beseiged (USA) 9-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden 2 out, no impression approaching last, 9th of 15, 18l behind Lennon (11-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Imperial Rocket (USA) 7-2 (11-1) Led, mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, half length advantage when blundered last, soon headed and no extra, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Goldbrook (11-1) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) frm in Apr.
Lord Henry (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Made all, pushed out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Unjust Law (11-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Serbelloni 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, hampered 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Cool Roxy (10-11) at Fakenham 2m beg chs (4) gf in May.
West End Wonder (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) In rear and raced wide, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 9l behind Mixsterthetrixster (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Inch Pride (IRE) 11-8fav (10-7) Raced keenly, led, blundered 2nd, headed 4 out, every chance after 3 out, no impression on winner approaching last, eased close home, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Il Duce (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in May.
Slaney Eagle (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (11-12) Always prominent, moderate 2nd from 5 out, ridden to close approaching straight, soon disputed lead, no impression from before last, kept on same pace run-in, eased close home, 2nd of 11, 4l behind In Technicolor (11-12) at Limerick.
