Obligation for Wetherby

Peter Monteith is optimistic Standin Obligation can gain the biggest success of his career in the skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on December 26.

The David Johnson-owned nine-year-old, a prolific scorer in novice events for former handlers Martin and David Pipe, was rewarded for a string of sound efforts with an impressive victory at Kelso in April.

He was a pleasing second on his return to action at Doncaster earlier in the month and Monteith believes he will strip fitter for the outing.

“I am going to give Standin Obligation an entry in the Rowland Meyrick and he’s an intended runner at the moment,” said the trainer.

“I was pleased with his run at Doncaster and he is entitled to come on for that.

“He ran decent races throughout last season, with the only exception being when he was pulled up at Perth.

“The ground might have been a bit quicker than ideal there and some people believe that he might prefer going left-handed, but I was a bit mystified by that run because he is normally so consistent.

“He has a mark of 141 at the moment, which is his highest rating as a chaser, but he ran well at Doncaster off the same mark.

“He won a novice chase at Wetherby for David Pipe in 2006 so we will have no excuses regarding the course. A bit of cut in the ground would also be right up his street.”