chased leaders, left disputing 3rd when hampered 3 out, soon beaten, blundered 2 out
jumped well, made all, joined last, just nudged along to assert, readily
chased winner until 13th, jumped slowly 15th and demoted to 4th, renewed effort and left 2nd 3 out, stayed on well after 2 out to join winner last, soon no impression
tracked leaders, went 3rd approaching 9th, hit 11th, chased winner 13th, mistake 14th, just over 1 length down when fell 3 out
held up in 5th, progress on outside approaching 3 out when left disputing 3rd, soon no impression
held up and behind, stumbled 12th, well adrift 14th, progress after 16th, slightly hampered 3 out, soon lost touch again, not fluent 2 out
always behind, jumped slowly 5th, tailed off from 10th
Standin Obligation has done nothing but impress since going chasing and is the one to beat here, with Openide, Oodachee and Patsy Hall slugging it out for second. Standin Obligation posted a fluent success at Kelso before looking equally as impressive at Wetherby next time to record a double over the bigger obstacles. Put away after that last win in June, he looks all set to make a name for himself this term, and will no doubt be aimed at the Royal & SunAlliance Chase by connections if all goes well. He was no slouch over hurdles, and numbered Oodachee as one of his victims when landing a Listed hurdle contest at this three-day fixture 12-months ago, so should have that rival cooked, but Patsy Hall may give him something to think about. However, he may find the going too fast, and a place at best beckons. Openide faced an impossible task in trying to give 6lb to Gungadu here 16 days ago, and if the latter had lined up, then Standin Obligation would no doubt have had a fight on his hands. The Nicholls chaser gives this a swerve though, so Brendan Duke will have high hopes of reaching the frame, but the winner must surely be Standin Obligation.
Oodachee 9-2jt-fav (9-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 14th, ridden after 3 out, no further impression, 5th of 11, 23l behind See You Sometime (10-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gf in Oct.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 1-5fav (11-6) Made all, driven and drew clear from 3 out, eased flat, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun beating Paphian Bay (11-0) by 18l, 5 ran.
Openide 4-1 (11-6) Led to 1st, always close up, driven along 4 out, slightly bumped 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, no impression when jumped left last, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Gungadu (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gs in Oct.
Patsy Hall (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th half-way, close 3rd 2 out, kept on to challenge after last, led run-in, kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs gs beating Mac Three (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Crossbarry Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, 6th approaching 2 out, 3rd after last, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 18, shd behind Nonchalant (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs gf in Aug.
Cannon Fire (FR) 4-1 (11-0) In touch, went 2nd 7th, every chance when blundered 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Fier Normand (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
Lago d'Oro 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when hit 12th, 5th of 8, well behind Gungadu (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gs in Oct.
