mid-division, ridden and lost place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, just failed
chased leaders, eased and lost place when pulled up before 6th
in touch, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, 2 last, weakened flat
raced wide, chased clear leader, led after 9th, ridden 3 out, hit last, all out
behind, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened last
behind, ridden 7th, kept on flat, never dangerous
held up and pulled hard, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened last
always behind
in touch to 9th, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up and dismounted before 2 out
led and clear to 6th, headed after 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
always behind, tailed up when pulled up before 3 out
Making it onto the shortlist are Standin Obligation, My Way de Solzen, Jorobaden, Tees Components and True Lover, with the vote given to Standin Obligation. Given that we have followed the selection in each of his last two winning starts, we are going to stay with the Martin Pipe hotpot, even though he is now eight pounds higher in the ratings than for his Cheltenham win last Saturday. However, he looks very useful and it will take a good one to beat him. However, the lightly-raced My Way de Solzen, who was second in Grade 2 company at Aintree in April, the progressive Jorobaden, who is up 10 pounds for his latest victory, and Tees Components, who is well-weighted on 2003 form and comes here on the back of a good third to Inglis Drever at Wetherby, are all decent performers. Of the others, True Lover has been running well from around today's mark and is respected, Alikat is up nine for a Ludlow win, and Spring Pursuit, who could find improvement at a new trip, all get a mention, but Inching Closer will need to replicate his Cheltenham Festival-winning effort of 2003 in order to land the spoils. All in all, we are happy enough to side with Standin Obligation.
The Bajan Bandit (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, ran on, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) sft in Feb beating Hirvine (11-5) by 6l, 15 ran.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up, good headway 8th, tracking leader when hit 4 out, led 2 out, driven approaching last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs beating Oodachee (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Turpin Green (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Jorobaden (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, led 2 out, easily, won at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Oct beating Midnight Creek (11-3) by 3l, 9 ran.
Tees Components 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 8th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
St Matthew (USA) 9-2 (10-12) Made most until headed 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden and hit 2 out, rallied flat, led near finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (A) sft in Oct beating Vandas Choice (11-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Inching Closer 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 7, 16l behind Telemoss (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Oct '04.
Alikat (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Standin Obligation (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (B) sft in Oct.
Rambling Minster 7-1 (10-11) Behind, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 17, 9l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Spring Pursuit 13-2 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, switched left after 3 out, ridden 2 out, not quicken, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Lacdoudal (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) sft in Oct.
True Lover (GER) 12-1 (9-11) Held up and behind, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, ran on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Kivotos (10-6) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gd in May '04.
By Degree (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In touch, chased leader approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, joined last, driven to lead again flat, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy beating Mouseski (11-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Nonantais (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led to 8th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by McBain (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 7th of 13, 19l behind Tynedale (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
