Clonmel Oil Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 5m 21.2s

Il Etait Temps^h,t¹⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169

2/9

Top-class chaser. 9/2, career best when winning 7-runner Celebration Chase at Sandown (15.4f, good to firm) by 5½ lengths from Jonbon, impressively. Off 6 months. Chance is there for all to see.

Form: 21311/1-

Senecia^b⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: V Halley| OR: 149| D

22/1

Useful hurdler. Latest win in chase at Navan in March but below that level since, including when fourteenth of 22 in handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, good to soft, 40/1) 99 days ago.

Form: 3P1P-50

Gentleman De Mee^t¹⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| D

6/1

Very smart chaser. Latest win in chase at Aintree in April. 8/1, respectable 7¾ lengths fourth of 9 to Gaelic Warrior in Oaksey Chase at Sandown (22.8f, good to firm). Off 6 months and looks main threat to Il Etait Temps.

Form: 575414-

Intense Raffles²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Slevin| T: T Gibney| OR: 156

12/1

Smart chaser who was possibly unsuited by track when pulled up in Grand National at Aintree on final outing, jumping right and never travelling in rear. Off 7 months. Significantly back down in trip.

Form: 11/902P-

Forecasts

Il Etait Temps (2/9), Gentleman De Mee (6/1), Intense Raffles (12/1), Senecia (22/1)

IL ETAIT TEMPS returned from a year off with a top-class effort in the Celebration Chase at Sandown in April, quickening clear of Jonbon impressively to score by 5½ lengths, so he's very hard to oppose. Gentleman de Mee looks the obvious one to give him most to think about.