in touch, headway 7th to chase leader, every chance 4 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway 8th, every chance when took closer order 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader to 7th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 8th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, led approaching 4 out, readily
held up in rear, headway on inside 4 out, every chance last, one pace flat
in touch until weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
led, ridden along 7th, headed approaching 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, some headway 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
The vote here goes to Standin Obligation ahead of Yourman and Mount Clerigo. Once again, it is hard to get away from Martin Pipe in this race and, with Timmy Murphy electing to ride the selection ahead of stablemates Yourman and Alikat, we will take the hint. And Standin Obligation looked to be a horse with a future when beating Martha's Kinsman under testing conditions on his latest start, an ability that will serve him well today. The other Pipe-trained runners are respected, though, as is L'Aventure, although we do not fancy him to win today, and the selection's biggest danger might prove to be Mount Clerigo, who proved himself a decent and progressive novice last season. It is good to see top-class chaser Keen Leader back on the track but, for us, Standin Obligation gets a solid vote.
Keen Leader (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) In touch, led narrowly 4 out, joined 2 out, headed and one pace before last, kept on again flat, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Kelami (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Alikat (IRE) 15-8 (11-11) Held up, headway 8th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, kept on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf beating September Moon (10-2) by 9l, 5 ran.
L'Aventure (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 15th of 40, well behind Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Mount Clerigo (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, hit last, all out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan beating Secret Ploy (11-4) by 3l, 12 ran.
Standin Obligation (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Led 1st, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) sft in Apr beating Martha's Kinsman (11-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Yourman (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, went left and led 2 out, soon ridden, hung badly left run-in, all out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) frm beating Fire Ranger (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) With leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 22, 15l behind Holland Park (11-0) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr.
Moorlands Again 8-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 12, 6l behind The Cool Guy (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gs.
He's The Guv'nor (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Over The Creek (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
