made all, driven and drew clear from 3 out, eased flat, easily
held up in touch, headway to chase winner 5 out, effort next, outpaced when hit 3 out, weakened and lost 2nd towards finish
with leaders on outside, not fluent 8th, outpaced 5 out, no impression from next
with winner, lost place 11th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure from next, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders, hit 7th, pushed along halfway, effort 5 out, no impression when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
Standing Obligation should be able to capitalize on his recent winning form and win this at the expense of Steppes Of Gold and Iris¿s Prince. The selection was in blinding form when winning at Kelso earlier in the month when getting the better of Roobihoo. A repeat performance will see him win this. Steppes Of Gold will be the biggest danger to the selection. His recent win at Southwell when beating Knock Lord by ten lengths was a sound effort and he could not have won any easier. The fact that he steps down in trip here though will not be in his favour as he stays forever. Iris¿s Prince has bits and bobs of form to his name but nothing to test his rivals in this race. He was beaten nearly fifty lengths last time out and will struggle to beat the market leaders so for the winner we return to Standing Obligation.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 1-6fav (11-3) Jumped well, made all, clear 4 out to last, comfortably, won at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf in May beating Roobihoo (11-3) by 3l, 3 ran.
Steppes of Gold (IRE) 4-7fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 10th, blundered 3 out, hard ridden and hung left, hit last, driven out, won at Southwell 3m 2f beg chs (4) gf in May beating Knock Lord (11-2) by 10l, 5 ran.
Iris's Prince 20-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped slowly, dropped rear 5th, no danger after, 5th of 6, 48l behind Celtic Boy (11-10) at Kelso 3m 1f chs (3) gd in May.
Paphian Bay 7-1 (11-0) Led, mistake and headed 3rd, remained with leader, lost place 10th, weakened from 3f out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Westmeath Flyer (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in May.
Reseda (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 7th, reminders next, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 9, 31l behind Thedublinpublican (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
