made most, left with clear advantage 8th, headed last (usual 3 out), outpaced bypassing omitted 2 out, no chance with easy winner after
in touch in rear, reminders after 7th, left 3rd next, outpaced 2 out (usual 4 out), never able to get on terms
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 8th, poised to challenge before 2 out (usual 4 out), led when hit last (usual 3 out), drew clear bypassing omitted 2 out, in no danger after, easily, (both fences in home straight omitted, low sun)
tracked leaders, hampered and unseated rider 8th
pressed lead, took narrow advantage when fell 8th
NonRunner
NonRunner
Catterick second Achill Road Boy needs a strong gallop and a thorough test of stamina. He’s still 5lb higher than when winning over 3m2f at Carlisle last season and is worth opposing again, despite the fitting of blinkers, though was ahead of Apache Pilot and Golden Investment at Ayr back in October. SOLID STRIKE (NAP) is 0-7 under Rules but this is a more suitable test than on his reappearance at Sedgefield, where he still ran well until lack of condition told. Danny McMenamin’s claim will help him here and he is less exposed than his rivals, despite his age.
Golden Investment (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In rear, not that fluent and did not travel well, reminder after 4th, ridden before 9th, headway when mistake 13th, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Inchcolm (10-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (5) gf in Dec.
Arizona Bound (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Behind, driven and headway 14th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Inchcolm (10-10) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Achill Road Boy (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 13th, blundered next, outpaced in 4th before 3 out, soon ridden, rallied to take modest 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Nortonthorpelegend (10-10) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Apache Pilot 11-1 (11-1) Close up, headway to chase winner 13th, ridden next, struggling from 3 out, not fluent next, lost 2nd at last, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Houndscourt (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Grimthorpe 50-1 (10-0) Led, clear to 5th, headed after 12th, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Glittering Love (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Solid Strike 10-1 (11-4) Pressed winner on outside, lost place after 11th, behind from 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Eureu Du Boulay (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Arthur's Reuben (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.