led 1st, ridden 2 out, stayed on well
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd next, ridden after 3 out, hung left approaching last, not quicken flat
in touch, hit 6th, soon pushed along, weakened next
behind, brief effort 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, went moderate 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden after 8th, weakened after next
always behind, tailed off when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up
led to 1st, with winner until ridden 7th, weakening when not fluent 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Standin Obligation has done little wrong so far and is fancied to complete a quick hat-trick at the main expense of Martha's Kinsman and Captain Flinders. The selection fulfilled Irish point-to-point form with a debut success for Martin Pipe over hurdles at Exeter before justifying the odds at Towcester last time and is impossible to oppose in a race where serious opposition looks thin on the ground. Martha's Kinsman, a winning bumper horse, opened his hurdling account at the first time of asking when scoring at Taunton and lost no caste in defeat behind Charlton Kings at Towcester subsequently. He rates a bigger danger than the Richard Phillips-trained Royal Cliche who has shown ability in bumpers but lacks experience over hurdles. Alfasonic should win races but this looks to tough for him and of more interest is Captain Flinders, who has clearly had his problems but undoubtedly has ability. Standin Obligation holds an obvious chance though and gets the vote.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 10-11fav Jumped left, prominent, chased leader 3rd, led approaching 3 out, hung left flat, readily, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (E) gs beating Malay by 2l, 13 ran.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 4-5fav Soon chasing leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Charlton Kings at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Alfasonic 50-1 Held up, effort approaching 9th, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 32l behind Halcon Genelardais at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Captain Flinders (IRE) 9-2 In touch, lost place 4th, effort 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 22, 8l behind Dangerously Good at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gs in Feb '04.
Royal Cliche 15-2 Chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 3f, 5th of 13, 13l behind Calusa Charlie at Towcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Classical Love 66-1 Prominent, ridden 6th and outpaced, rallied to go 3rd approaching 2 out, jumped left 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 10, 26l behind Inch Pride at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (E) gd.
Heathy Gore 50-1 Mid-divison, headway halfway, weakened 6f out, tailed off final 4f, 10th of 15, well behind Brassie at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec '03.
Knocktemple Lass (IRE) 100-1 Mid-division, ridden and some headway from approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 26l behind Flying Enterprise at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd.
Lancastrian Island 14-1 pulled up in race won by All Right For Time at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Desertmore Chief (IRE) 50-1 Prominent until mistake 6th, 8th of 16, well behind Cantgeton at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs.
Diamond Merchant 14-1 Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Billyvoddan at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
